oscitancy

2 definitions found

oscitancy - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Oscitancy \Os"ci*tan*cy\, n. [See Oscitant.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. The act of gaping or yawning.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Drowsiness; dullness; sluggishness. --Hallam.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              It might proceed from the oscitancy of transcribers.
                                                    --Addison.
        [1913 Webster]

oscitancy - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  oscitancy
      n 1: drowsiness and dullness manifested by yawning [syn:
           oscitancy, oscitance]
      2: an involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth;
         usually triggered by fatigue or boredom; "he could not
         suppress a yawn"; "the yawning in the audience told him it
         was time to stop"; "he apologized for his oscitancy" [syn:
         yawn, yawning, oscitance, oscitancy]