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Entry 7 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Yawn

/(ya̤n)/ · IPA /jɔn/
01 v. i. To open the mouth involuntarily through drowsiness, dullness, or fatigue; to gape; to oscitate.
imp. & p. p. Yawned; p. pr. & vb. n. Yawning
  1. 1.
    To open the mouth involuntarily through drowsiness, dullness, or fatigue; to gape; to oscitate.
    “And while above he spends his breath, The yawning audience nod beneath.” — Trumbull.
  2. 2.
    To open wide; to gape, as if to allow the entrance or exit of anything.
    “'t is now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn.” — Shak.
  3. 3.
    To open the mouth, or to gape, through surprise or bewilderment.
  4. 4.
    To be eager; to desire to swallow anything; to express desire by yawning; as, to yawn for fat livings.
02 n. An involuntary act, excited by drowsiness, etc., consisting of a deep and long inspiration following several successive attempts at inspira…
  1. 1.
    An involuntary act, excited by drowsiness, etc., consisting of a deep and long inspiration following several successive attempts at inspiration, the mouth, fauces, etc., being wide open.
    “One person yawning in company will produce a spontaneous yawn in all present.” — N. Chipman.
  2. 2.
    The act of opening wide, or of gaping.
  3. 3.
    A chasm, mouth, or passageway.[R.]
    “Now gape the graves, and trough their yawns let loose Imprisoned spirits.” — Marston.