Yawns

/jɔnz/ verb

Definition

Opens the mouth wide while breathing in, usually when tired, bored, or as a contagious response to seeing someone else yawn.

Etymology

From Old English 'ganian' meaning to gape or open wide, related to Old Norse 'gana.' The exact reason yawns are contagious remains partly mysterious to science.

Kelly Says

Yawning is contagious even in text—just reading about it can make you yawn! Scientists think it might be linked to empathy, which is why people with autism yawn less frequently to others' yawns.

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