breath

breath
/breth/, n.
1. the air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.
2. respiration, esp. as necessary to life.
3. life; vitality.
4. the ability to breathe easily and normally: She stopped to regain her breath.
5. time to breathe; pause or respite: Give him a little breath.
6. a single inhalation or respiration: He took a deep breath.
7. the brief time required for a single respiration; a moment or instant: They gave it to her and took it away all in a breath.
8. a slight suggestion, hint, or whisper: The breath of slander never touched her.
9. a light current of air.
10. Phonet.
a. the air drawn into or expelled from the lungs to provide the generative source for most speech sounds.
b. the audible expiration generating voiceless speech sounds, as (p), (k), (sh), etc.
11. moisture emitted in respiration, esp. when condensed and visible.
12. a trivial circumstance; trifle.
13. an odorous exhalation, or the air impregnated by it.
14. Obs. exhalation or vapor.
15. below or under one's breath, in a low voice or whisper; sotto voce: He protested under his breath because he was afraid to speak up.
16. catch one's breath, to pause or rest before continuing an activity or beginning a new one; resume regular breathing: Let me catch my breath before I begin anything new.
17. in the same breath, at virtually the same time; almost simultaneously: She lost her temper and apologized in the same breath.
18. out of breath, exhausted or gasping for breath, in consequence of an effort; breathless: After climbing to the top of the tower, we were so out of breath that we had to sit down.
19. save one's breath, to avoid futile talk or discussion: We were told to save our breath because the matter had already been decided.
20. take away one's breath, to make one as if breathless with astonishment; surprise; stun: The sheer beauty of the sea took away my breath.
Also, take one's breath away.
[bef. 900; ME breth, breeth, OE braeth smell, exhalation; akin to G Brodem vapor, steam]
Syn. 3. spirit, animation, vigor, force.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • breath — W2S3 [breθ] n [: Old English; Origin: brAth] 1.) a) [U] the air that you send out of your lungs when you breathe ▪ Leo could smell the wine on her breath. ▪ Let your breath out slowly. ▪ He s got bad breath (=breath that smells unpleasant) …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • breath — [ breθ ] noun count or uncount *** the air that goes in and out of your body through your nose or mouth: He could feel her warm breath on his face. His breath smelled strongly of alcohol. a. the act of getting air into your lungs by breathing:… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Breath — (br[e^]th), n. [OE. breth, breeth, AS. br[=ae][eth] odor, scent, breath; cf. OHG. br[=a]dam steam, vapor, breath, G. brodem, and possibly E. {Brawn}, and {Breed}.] 1. The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration; air which, in the process of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • breath — ► NOUN 1) air taken into or expelled from the lungs. 2) an instance of breathing in or out. 3) a slight movement of air. 4) a sign, hint, or suggestion: he avoided the slightest breath of scandal. ● breath of fresh air Cf. ↑breath of fresh air …   English terms dictionary

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  • breath — [breth] n. [ME breth < OE bræth, odor, exhalation < IE base * bher , well up > FERMENT, BARM, BROOD] 1. air taken into the lungs and then let out 2. the act of breathing; respiration 3. the power to breathe easily and naturally [to get… …   English World dictionary

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  • Breath — Single par Aya Kamiki Face A Breath Face B Mamoritai... Sortie 21 mai 2003 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Breath — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Breath (exhalación) es un montaje de escenario, escrito por Samuel Beckett, una versión modificada de esta performance fue incluida en el musical de Kenneth Tynan Oh! Calcutta!. Este trabajo fue estrenado en octubre… …   Wikipedia Español

  • breath — [n1] respiration animation, breathing, eupnea, exhalation, expiration, gasp, gulp, inhalation, inspiration, insufflation, pant, wheeze; concept 163 breath [n2] wind or something in the air aroma, faint breeze, flatus, flutter, gust, odor, puff,… …   New thesaurus

  • breath|er — «BREE thuhr», noun. 1. a short stop for breath; rest: »He had stopped for a few minutes breather. SYNONYM(S): respite, pause. 2. a person or thing that breathes: »I will chide no breather in the world but myself against whom I know most faults… …   Useful english dictionary

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