oscitant

[ os-i-tuhnt ]

adjective

1. yawning, as with drowsiness; gaping.
2. drowsy or inattentive.
3. dull, lazy, or negligent.

Other Words From

• osci·tan·cy osci·tance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of oscitant¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin ōscitant- (stem of ōscitāns, present participle of ōscitāre “to gape, yawn (used of animals), be listless”), equivalent to ōs “mouth” + cit(āre) “to put in motion” + -ant- -ant