oscit-

Early clinician term for "irresistible yawning spells".

Yawning may appear as a psychoneurotic symptom. For instance, one neurasthenic patient related that he had troublesome spells of yawning at times of anxious expectation; such as, when he was waiting for an important appointment.

In other neurotics, frequent yawning may indicate the patients' inability to concentrate, which they struggle to overcome. In hysteria, spasms of yawning may have the same significance as convulsive laughter or crying as an expressive movement.

Irresistible yawning spells were known to early clinicians as oscedo or chasmodia. Yawning may be used in social intercourse as a subtle expression of aggressive tendencies, implying that a partner is a bore.

1. Drowsiness and dullness manifested by yawning,
2. An involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth; usually triggered by fatigue or boredom.

Acts of yawning or conditions of being drowsy or inattentive.

1. The act of yawning.
2. The state of being drowsy or inattentive; dullness.

1. Yawning, as with drowsiness; gaping.
2. Drowsy or inattentive.
3. Dull, lazy, or negligent.

In an oscitant manner.

To yawn; to gape.

The act of yawning, the involuntary opening of the mouth with respiration, breathing first inward, then outward.

1. An involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth; usually triggered by fatigue or boredom.
2. Utter a yawn; as from a lack of oxygen or when tired or bored.
3. To open the mouth wide with a deep inhalation, usually involuntarily because of drowsiness, fatigue, or boredom.
4. To open wide; to gape: "The chasm yawned at our feet."
5. To utter wearily, while or as if while yawning: "He yawned his disapproval about plans for the weekend trip."
6. Etymology: Yawn ultimately goes back to the Indo-European base ghei-, ghi-, which also produced Greek khaskein, "gape"; a close relative of English chasm and Latin hiare, "gape, yawn"; source of English hiatus.

Involuntary opening of the mouth, which is often caused by suggestion. Yawning is characterized by breathing first inward, then outward. Repeated yawning is often a sign of drowsiness. It may also sometimes be a sign of depression.