to open the mouth somewhat involuntarily with a prolonged, deep inhalation and sighing or heavy exhalation, as from drowsiness or boredom.
2.
to open wide like a mouth.
3.
to extend or stretch wide, as an open and deep space.
–verb (used with object)
4.
to say with a yawn.
5.
Archaic. to open wide, or lay open, as if by yawning.
–noun
6.
an act or instance of yawning.
7.
an opening; open space; chasm.
8.
Also, yawner.Informal. something so boring as to make one yawn: Critics say the new fashions are one big yawn.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME yanen,yonen (v.), alter. of yenen, OE ge(o)nian; akin to OE gānian, ginan, ON gīna, G gähnen, L hiāre (see hiatus), Gk chaínein to gape (see chasm)]
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