English

Noun

oscitation ‎(plural oscitations)

1. The act of yawning or gaping. Also figuratively.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Addison to this entry?)

   • 1547, A. Borde, Bill Long, editor, Breuiary of Helthe, published 2006:

     Ossitacio is the latyn worde..In englysh it is named ossitacion yeanynge or gapynge.

2. (obsolete) The condition of being listless, drowsy, negligent, or inattentive; an occurrence of such negligence or inattention.
   • 1744, “Letters of Mrs. Carter and Miss Talbot”, in The Eclectic review, volume 4, London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, published 1808, page 980:

     These transient fits of oscitation, and inactivity, are perhaps no more than a necessary relaxation to the mind, and serve to quicken its faculties to a more lively sensation of returning pleasure.