oscitancy

/ ˈɒsɪtənsɪ /

noun

1. the state of being drowsy, lazy, or inattentive
2. the act of yawning

Derived Forms

• ˈoscitant, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oscitancy¹

C17: from Latin oscitāre to gape, yawn

Example Sentences

Oscitancy, os′si-tan-si, n. sleepiness, stupidity.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

The sergeant continued to relate to Butler the details of this adventure, which he did with more prolixity than the weariness of his listener was able to endure; for the major, having in the progress of the narrative got into bed, and having, in the increasing oscitancy of his faculties, exhausted every expression of assent by which one who listens to a tale is accustomed to notify his attention—he at length dropped into a profound sleep, leaving the sergeant to conclude at his leisure.

From Project Gutenberg

And so he puts it somewhat thus:—"While we are disposed to recognize substantial agreement, and general conformity in respect of details, among the synoptical witnesses, in their leading external outlines, we are yet constrained to withhold our unqualified acceptance of any theory of Inspiration which should claim for these compilers exemption from the oscitancy, and generally from the infirmities of humanity."

From Project Gutenberg

The second line is supererogative in syllables, whether from the oscitancy of the transcriber, or from the trepidation which might have overpowered the modest Frenchman, on finding himself in the act of writing to so great a man, I shall not dare to determine.

From Project Gutenberg

The second line is supererogative in syllables, whether from the oscitancy of the transcriber, or from the trepidation which might have overpowered the modest Frenchman, on finding himself in the act of writing to so great a man, I shall not dare to determine.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• apathy
• laziness
• paralysis
• passivity
• sluggishness