Synonyms Examples Word Origin
verb (used without object), breathed [breeth d] /briðd/ breath·ing. to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale; respire. (in speech) to control the outgoing breath in producing voice and speech sounds. to pause, as for breath ; take rest: How about giving me a chance to breathe? to move gently or blow lightly, as air. to live; exist: Hardly a man breathes who has not known great sorrow. to be redolent of. (of a material) to allow air and moisture to pass through easily: The jacket is comfortable because the fabric breathes. (of the skin) to absorb oxygen and give off perspiration. (of a wine) to be exposed to air after being uncorked, in order to develop flavor and bouquet. Show More
verb (used with object), breathed [breeth d] /briðd/ breath·ing. to inhale and exhale in respiration. to exhale: Dragons breathe fire. to inject as if by breathing; infuse: She breathed life into the party. to give utterance to; whisper. to express; manifest. to allow to rest or recover breath : to breathe a horse. to deprive of breath ; tire; exhaust. to cause to pant; exercise. Show More
breathe down someone's neck , to be close to someone in pursuit; menace; threaten: Police from four states were breathing down his neck. to watch someone closely so as to supervise or control: If everyone keeps breathing down my neck, how can I get my work done? 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. breathe one's last , to die: He breathed his last and was buried in the churchyard. not breathe a word /syllable , to maintain secrecy; keep a matter confidential: I'll tell you if you promise not to breathe a word. Show More
Origin of breathe 1250–1300; Middle English brethen, derivative of
breath Related forms out·breathe , verb (used with object), out·breathed, out·breath·ing. pre·breathe , verb (used with object), pre·breathed, pre·breath·ing. Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for breathes exhale ,
inhale ,
sigh ,
infuse ,
inject ,
snore ,
sniff ,
pant ,
gulp ,
respire ,
fan ,
snort ,
expire ,
gasp ,
puff ,
wheeze ,
scent ,
insufflate ,
imbue ,
transfuse Examples from the Web for breathes Contemporary Examples of breathes After a long period of convalescence following her breakdown, she breathes a sigh of relief when she is able to write.
He is paralyzed, breathes through a ventilator, and communicates via a sophisticated computer.
R immediately falls for Julie, who breathes life into him and even inspires the grunting mute to talk ... and stop eating brains.
Breathes there a soul brave enough to go near the beach after seeing this film?
Though Babbitt turns ninety this year, Georgie Babbitt still lives and breathes and harrumphs.
Historical Examples of breathes Eulalia, when at the stake, breathes the flame that she may die the more quickly.
Occasionally there is a similar straining after the air it breathes .
It breathes the spirit of Socrates, but has been cast anew in the mould of Plato.
I'll send you a prescription for his heart, if he breathes too heavily.
The child who breathes imperfectly but ill maintains its heat.
British Dictionary definitions for breathes to take in oxygen from (the surrounding medium, esp air) and give out carbon dioxide; respire (intr) to exist; be alive every animal that breathes on earth (intr) to rest to regain breath, composure, etc stop your questions, and give me a chance to breathe (intr) (esp of air) to blow lightly the wind breathed through the trees (intr) machinery to take in air, esp for combustion the engine breathes through this air filter to equalize the pressure within a container, chamber, etc, with atmospheric pressure the crankcase breathes through this duct (tr) phonetics to articulate (a speech sound) without vibration of the vocal cords Compare voice (def. 19) to exhale or emit the dragon breathed fire (tr) to impart; instil to breathe confidence into the actors (tr) to speak softly; whisper to breathe words of love (tr) to permit to rest to breathe a horse (intr) (of a material) to allow air to pass through so that perspiration can evaporate breathe again , breathe freely or breathe easily to feel relief I could breathe again after passing the exam breathe down someone's neck to stay close to someone, esp to oversee what they are doing the cops are breathing down my neck breathe one's last to die or be finished or defeated Show More
Word Origin for breathe C13: from breath
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for breathes v. c.1300, not in Old English, but it retains the original Old English vowel of its source word, breath . Related: Breathed ; breathing .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with breathes In addition to the idioms beginning with breathe
breathe down someone's neck breathe easy breathe life into breathe one's last also see:
as I live and breathe breathing space not breathe a word Show More
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
