Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun The act or process of breathing; respiration.
- noun A single act of breathing.
- noun The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.
- noun Air that is exhaled, as evidenced by vapor or odor.
- noun The capacity to breathe, especially in a natural and unlabored manner.
- noun Spirit or vitality.
- noun A momentary pause or rest.
- noun A momentary stirring of air.
- noun A softly spoken sound; a whisper.
- noun Linguistics Exhalation of air without vibration of the vocal cords, as in the articulation of p and s.
- idiom (one/the same) At or almost at the same time.
- idiom (out of breath) Breathing with difficulty, as from exertion; gasping.
- idiom (under (one's) breath) In a muted voice or whisper.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun Vapor; steam; exhalation.
- noun The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.
- noun Ability to breathe; life as dependent on respiration.
- noun The state or power of breathing freely: as, to be out of breath; to be in breath.
- noun A single act of breathing; a respiration: as, he swears at every breath; to draw a full breath.
- noun Hence The time of a single respiration; a single act; an instant.
- noun Respite; pause; time to breathe.
- noun A gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration.
- noun A respiratory movement, as of free air; a blowing.
- noun Spoken words; speech.
- noun A mere word; a trivial circumstance; a thing without substance; a trifle.
- noun An odorous exhalation.
- noun In philology, a breathing; aspiration; aspirate sound.
- noun Opinion; sentiments: as, I would fain hear his breath on this matter.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration; air which, in the process of respiration, has parted with oxygen and has received carbonic acid, aqueous vapor, warmth, etc.
- noun The act of breathing naturally or freely; the power or capacity to breathe freely.
- noun The power of respiration, and hence, life.
- noun Time to breathe; respite; pause.
- noun A single respiration, or the time of making it; a single act; an instant.
- noun Fig.: That which gives or strengthens life.
- noun A single word; the slightest effort; a trifle.
- noun A very slight breeze; air in gentle motion.
- noun Fragrance; exhalation; odor; perfume.
- noun Gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration.
- noun breathless, exhausted; breathing with difficulty.
- noun in low tones.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun uncountable The
act orprocess ofbreathing . - noun countable A
single act of breathing in or out. - noun uncountable Air
expelled from thelungs . - noun countable A
rest orpause . - noun a small
amount of something, such aswind , orcommon sense
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
- noun a slight movement of the air
- noun an indirect suggestion
- noun a short respite
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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Let me tell you such men don't waste one breath in mentioning anything that does not mean a big interest per cent, _not one breath_.
Flamsted quarries Mary E. Waller
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"Yet your gay laughter, Messire de Puysange, is after all but breath: and _breath_ also" -- the bishop's sharp eyes fixed Perion's -- "has a hackneyed rhyme."
Domnei A Comedy of Woman-Worship James Branch Cabell 1918
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This waste comes from exhaling more breath (more motive power) than the tone requires, and _breath that does not become tone is wasted_.
Resonance in Singing and Speaking Thomas Fillebrown 1872
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* must retain self .... will not have a spaz attack ... breath breath*
techPowerUp! W1zzard 2010
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* must retain self .... will not have a spaz attack ... breath breath*
techPowerUp! W1zzard 2010
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III. xiii.77 (204,9) Tell him, from his all-obeying breath I hear/The doom of Aegypt] _Doom_ is declared rather by an _all-commanding_, than an _all-obeying breath_.
Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies Samuel Johnson 1746
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She told me that the germs (virii?) drop when your breath is a foot from your face.
SWINE FLU 2009
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She told me that the germs (virii?) drop when your breath is a foot from your face.
SWINE FLU 2009
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She told me that the germs (virii?) drop when your breath is a foot from your face.
SWINE FLU 2009
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She told me that the germs (virii?) drop when your breath is a foot from your face.
SWINE FLU 2009
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