oscitation

oscitation

English

Etymology

Latin ōscitātiō, from ōscitō (“to gape”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌɒsɪˈteɪʃən/

Noun

oscitation (plural oscitations)

1. The act of yawning or gaping. Also figuratively.
   • September 2, 1709, Joseph Addison, The Tatler No. 63

     But I shall defer considering this subject at large, until I come to my treatise of oscitation, laughter, and ridicule.

   • 1547, A. Borde, Bill Long, editor, Breuiary of Helthe‎, published 2006, archived from the original on 9 December 2012:

     Ossitacio is the latyn worde..In englysh it is named ossitacion yeanynge or gapynge.

2. (obsolete) The condition of being listless, drowsy, negligent, or inattentive; an occurrence of such negligence or inattention.
   • 1744, “Letters of Mrs. Carter and Miss Talbot”, in The Eclectic review‎, volume 4, London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, published 1808, page 980:

     These transient fits of oscitation, and inactivity, are perhaps no more than a necessary relaxation to the mind, and serve to quicken its faculties to a more lively sensation of returning pleasure.