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oscitation. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
oscitation, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
oscitation in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
oscitation you have here. The definition of the word
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oscitation, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Latin ōscitātiō, from ōscitō (“to gape”).
Pronunciation
Noun
oscitation (plural oscitations)
- (also figurative) The act of yawning or gaping.
1547, A. Borde, edited by Bill Long, 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.
1709 September 13 (Gregorian calendar), Isaac Bickerstaff [et al., pseudonyms; Joseph Addison], “Friday, September 2, 1709”, in The Tatler, number 63; republished in [Richard Steele], editor, The Tatler, , London stereotype edition, volume I, London: I. Walker and Co.; , 1822, →OCLC:But I shall defer considering this subject at large, until I come to my treatise of oscitation, laughter, and ridicule.
- (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.