v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Yawned p. pr. & vb. n. Yawning. ] [ OE. yanien, &yogh_;anien, ganien, gonien, AS. gānian; akin to ginian to yawn, gīnan to yawn, open wide, G. gähnen to yawn, OHG. ginēn, geinōn, Icel. gīna to yawn, gin the mouth, OSlav. zijati to yawn, L. hiare to gape, yawn; and perhaps to E. begin, cf. Gr. cheia` a hole. √47b. Cf. Begin, Gin to begin, Hiatus. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
1. To open the mouth involuntarily through drowsiness, dullness, or fatigue; to gape; to oscitate. “The lazy, yawning drone.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
And while above he spends his breath,
The yawning audience nod beneath. Trumbull. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. To open wide; to gape, as if to allow the entrance or exit of anything. [ 1913 Webster ]
't is now the very witching time of night,
When churchyards yawn. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. To open the mouth, or to gape, through surprise or bewilderment. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
4. To be eager; to desire to swallow anything; to express desire by yawning; as, to yawn for fat livings. “One long, yawning gaze.” Landor. [ 1913 Webster ]