- breathe
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v.i.1. to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale; respire.2. (in speech) to control the outgoing breath in producing voice and speech sounds.3. to pause, as for breath; take rest: How about giving me a chance to breathe?4. to move gently or blow lightly, as air.5. to live; exist: Hardly a man breathes who has not known great sorrow.6. to be redolent of.7. (of a material) to allow air and moisture to pass through easily: The jacket is comfortable because the fabric breathes.8. (of the skin) to absorb oxygen and give off perspiration.9. (of a wine) to be exposed to air after being uncorked, in order to develop flavor and bouquet.v.t.10. to inhale and exhale in respiration.11. to exhale: Dragons breathe fire.12. to inject as if by breathing; infuse: She breathed life into the party.13. to give utterance to; whisper.14. to express; manifest.15. to allow to rest or recover breath: to breathe a horse.16. to deprive of breath; tire; exhaust.17. to cause to pant; exercise.18. breathe down someone's neck,a. to be close to someone in pursuit; menace; threaten: Police from four states were breathing down his neck.b. to watch someone closely so as to supervise or control: If everyone keeps breathing down my neck, how can I get my work done?19. breathe freely, to have relief from anxiety, tension, or pressure: Now that the crisis was over, he could breathe freely. Also, breathe easily, breathe easy.20. breathe one's last, to die: He breathed his last and was buried in the churchyard.21. not breathe a word or syllable, to maintain secrecy; keep a matter confidential: I'll tell you if you promise not to breathe a word.[1250-1300; ME brethen, deriv. of BREATH]Syn. 14. utter, tell, murmur, voice; reveal, divulge.
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Universalium. 2010.
