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bâiller

to yawn

verb bah-YEH Rare

Usage Note

Bâiller means to yawn involuntarily, but also — in a more literary or technical sense — to be ajar or to gape (a door that bâille is slightly open). The circumflex on the 'â' distinguishes it from bailler (an archaic verb meaning to hand over). The noun form is bâillement.

Examples

"Il bâille sans arrêt pendant la réunion."

Natural Translation

He keeps yawning throughout the meeting.

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