Yawn \Yawn\ (y[add]n), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Yawned; p. pr. & vb. n. Yawning.]

[OE. yanien, [yogh]anien, ganien, gonien, AS. g[=a]nian; akin to ginian to yawn, g[=i]nan to yawn, open wide, G. g["a]hnen to yawn, OHG. gin[=e]n, gein[=o]n, Icel. g[=i]na to yawn, gin the mouth, OSlav. zijati to yawn, L. hiare to gape, yawn; and perhaps to E. begin, cf. Gr. cheia` a hole. [root]47b. Cf. Begin, Gin to begin, Hiatus.]

1. To open the mouth involuntarily through drowsiness, dullness, or fatigue; to gape; to oscitate. ``The lazy, yawning drone.'' --Shak.

And while above he spends his breath, The yawning audience nod beneath. --Trumbull.

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. To open the mouth, or to gape, through surprise or bewilderment. --Shak.

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)