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oscitation

noun
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os·​ci·​ta·​tion | \ ˌäsəˈtāshən \
plural -s

Definition of oscitation

1 : the act of being inattentive
2 : the condition of being drowsy

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History and Etymology for oscitation

Latin oscitation-, oscitatio action of yawning, from oscitatus (past participle of oscitare to yawn) + -ion-, -io -ion

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Cite this Entry

“Oscitation.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oscitation. Accessed 29 January 2020.

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