yawning

Noun
  1. An involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth;
    Usually triggered by fatigue or boredom (synset 100838954)
    "he could not suppress a yawn"; "the yawning in the audience told him it was time to stop"; "he apologized for his oscitancy"
    is a type of: inborn reflex, innate reflex, instinctive reflex, physiological reaction, reflex, reflex action, reflex response, unconditioned reflex - an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus
    subtypes: pandiculation - yawning and stretching (as when first waking up)
    same as: oscitance, oscitancy, yawn
Adjective
  1. Gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something (synset 301657821)
    "the yawning mine shaft"; "a yawning abyss"
    similar to: open - affording free passage or access
  2. With the mouth wide open indicating boredom or sleepiness (synset 301659451)
    "a yawning congregation"
    similar to: open, opened - used of mouth or eyes
  3. Showing lack of attention or boredom (synset 300167028)
    "the yawning congregation"
    similar to: inattentive - showing a lack of attention or care
    same as: drowsy, oscitant

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