yawn etymology

Etymology:

Proto-Germanic: gīnaną Old English: gīnan Middle English: yenen Modern English: yawn

Meaning:

1. To open the mouth wide, typically with a deep intake of breath, as a sign of tiredness, boredom, or drowsiness.
2. To be open wide, as a hole or gap.

Origin:

The etymology of "yawn" is uncertain, but it is believed to be derived from the Proto-Germanic root gīnaną, meaning "to open wide." This root is related to the Old Norse word gina, meaning "to gape," and the Old English word gīnan, meaning "to open."

It is possible that the word "yawn" originally referred to the act of opening the mouth wide to breathe, as in a long sigh, and that its current meaning of showing tiredness or boredom developed later.

yawn relate terms

• dehiscence

  Etymology The word dehiscence comes from the Latin word dehiscere which means to ga

• yawn

  Etymology Proto Germanic gīnaną Old English gīnan Middle English yenen Modern Engl

• yawner

  Etymology The word yawn comes from the Old English word gānian meaning to open th

• yawn

  Etymology Proto Germanic gīnaną Old English gīnan Middle English yenen Modern Engl

• chaos

  Etymology Greek χάος khaos meaning yawning void abyss or gap Meaning

• chasm

  Etymology Late Latin chasma from Greek χάσμα chásma meaning a cleft gap

• dehiscence

  Etymology The word dehiscence comes from the Latin word dehiscere which means to ga

• gasp

  Etymology Old English geaspian to startle amaze Proto Germanic gastjan to frigh

• gawp

  Etymology Middle English gape gaping from Old English geápian to gape yawn star

• hiatus

  Etymology The word hiatus is derived from the Latin word hiare which means to gape

• yawn

  Etymology Proto Germanic gīnaną Old English gīnan Middle English yenen Modern Engl

• gape

  Etymology The word gape originates from the Middle English word gapen which is deriv

• bevel

  Etymology Late Middle English via Old French biavel from Latin bi twice valvus

• chasm

  Etymology Late Latin chasma from Greek χάσμα chásma meaning a cleft gap

• abeyance

  Etymology The word abeyance comes from the Old French word abeance which means cess

• chaos

  Etymology Greek χάος khaos meaning yawning void abyss or gap Meaning

• reflex

  Etymology Latin reflectere to bend back to cast back Proto Indo European leyp

• reprise

  Etymology Reprise from the French reprendre to take again Latin reprendere

• page

  Etymology The word page originates from the Latin word pagina which referred to a si