yawning

Everyday

1. Opening your mouth wide and taking a deep breath without meaning to, usually because you are tired or bored. tree →
2. (adjective) Very wide and open, like a big gap or hole (a yawning gap, a yawning cave). tree →

In the lessons

In health and science lessons, yawning is a reflex — the body does it on its own, often when tired, bored or when others yawn (yawns are «catching» or contagious). Being always yawning in class can mean you need more sleep. Manners: cover your mouth when you yawn. In stories, a yawning character is sleepy or bored; a yawning cave is huge and dark. Phrases: stop yawning, yawning gap, cover your mouth.

Examples

• Stop yawning — it's not bedtime yet! tree →
• Cover your mouth when you are yawning. tree →
• He was yawning all through the boring film. tree →
• Seeing someone yawn can make you start yawning too. tree →
• The children were yawning after the long day at the beach. tree →
• A yawning cave opened in the side of the hill. tree →
• There's a yawning gap between the two scores. tree →

Note

Spelling: yawn, yawning, yawned. The «aw» sounds like «or» in British English. Scientists are still not completely sure why we yawn — one idea is that it helps cool the brain.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: The Psalm says the wicked speak smooth words while their insides are full of destruction, like an open grave. Tradition warns against lying and flattery. In the primary lessons: In health and science lessons, yawning is a reflex — the body does it on its own, often when tired, bored or when others yawn (yawns are «catching» or contagious). Being always yawning in class can mean you need more sleep. Manners: cover your mouth when you yawn. In stories, a yawning character is sleepy or bored; a yawning cave is huge and dark. Phrases: stop yawning, yawning gap, cover your mouth.

Examples

• For there is no sincerity in their mouth; their inward part is a yawning gulf, their throat is an open sepulchre; they make smooth their tongue. (Writings PSA.5.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: yawn, yawning, yawned. The «aw» sounds like «or» in British English. Scientists are still not completely sure why we yawn — one idea is that it helps cool the brain.