oscitant

[os-i-tuh nt]

adjective

yawning, as with drowsiness; gaping.

drowsy or inattentive.

dull, lazy, or negligent.

Origin of oscitant

1615–25; < Latin ōscitant- (stem of ōscitāns) (present participle of ōscitāre to gape, yawn), equivalent to ōs mouth + cit(āre) to put in motion) + -ant- -ant

Related formsos·ci·tan·cy, os·ci·tance, noun

Word Origin and History for oscitant

adj.

"yawning," from Latin oscitans "listless, sluggish, lazy," present participle of oscitare "to gape, yawn," from os citare "to move the mouth" (see oral and cite).