Oscitancy

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  oscitancy
       n 1: drowsiness and dullness manifested by yawning [syn: {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 ostinancy" [syn:
           {yawn}, {yawning}, {oscitance}]