oscitant

[ os-i-tuh nt ]
/ ˈɒs ɪ tənt /

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

OTHER WORDS FROM oscitant

os·ci·tan·cy, os·ci·tance, noun

Example sentences from the Web for oscitancy

  • Its necessary concomitants, are official inattention and oscitancy.

    Four Early Pamphlets |William Godwin

British Dictionary definitions for oscitancy

oscitancy

oscitance

/ (ˈɒsɪtənsɪ) /

noun plural -tancies or -tances

the state of being drowsy, lazy, or inattentive
the act of yawning
Official name: oscitation

Derived forms of oscitancy

oscitant, adjective

Word Origin for oscitancy

C17: from Latin oscitāre to gape, yawn