smooth breathing

noun

1. a symbol (') used in the writing of Greek to indicate that the initial vowel over which it is placed is unaspirated.

smooth breathing

noun

1. (in Greek) the sign (᾿) placed over an initial vowel, indicating that (in ancient Greek) it was not pronounced with an h Compare rough breathing

Word History and Origins

Origin of smooth breathing¹

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

The one exception is the rough breathing before Ἀνδρασι in footnote 17, which should be a smooth breathing.

From Project Gutenberg