oscitant

English

Etymology

From Latin ōscitāns, present participle of ōscitō. Compare French oscitant.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɒsɪtənt/

Adjective

oscitant (comparative more oscitant, superlative most oscitant) (generally, archaic)

1. yawning or gaping
2. sleepy; drowsy; sluggish; careless

   Synonyms: sleepbound, somnolent; see also Thesaurus:sleepy

   • a. 1678 (date written), Isaac Barrow, “(please specify the chapter name or sermon number). Keep thy Heart with all diligence”, in The Works of Dr. Isaac Barrow. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: A[braham] J[ohn] Valpy, […], published 1830–1831, →OCLC:

     He must not be oscitant, but intent on his charge.

Derived terms

• oscitantly

References

• “oscitant”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

Anagrams

• Scottian, actinost, tactions

Latin

Verb

ōscitant

1. third-person plural present active indicative of ōscitō