irrespirable

American  

[ih-res-per-uh-buhl, ir-i-spahyuhr-uh-buhl] / ɪˈrɛs pər ə bəl, ˌɪr ɪˈspaɪər ə bəl /

adjective

1. not respirable; unfit for breathing.

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irrespirable British  

/ ɪˈrɛspɪrəbəl, ˌɪrɪˈspaɪərəbəl /

adjective

1. not fit for breathing or incapable of being breathed

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Etymology

Origin of irrespirable

From the Late Latin word irrespīrābilis, dating back to 1815–25. See ir- ², respirable

Example Sentences

But this refers only to crude acetylene undiluted with air; and being a hydrocarbon—being in fact neither oxygen nor common air—acetylene is irrespirable of itself though largely devoid of specific toxic action.

From Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use A Practical Handbook on the Production, Purification, and Subsequent Treatment of Acetylene for the Development of Light, Heat, and Power by Leeds, F. H. (Frank Henley)

Methods for enabling miners to penetrate into workings where the atmosphere is totally irrespirable have come into use for saving life after explosions and for repairing shafts and pit-work under water.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 5 "Clervaux" to "Cockade" by Various

“Black damp” consists of accumulations of irrespirable gases, mostly nitrogen, which cause the lights to burn dimly, and the term “white damp” is sometimes applied to carbon monoxide.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 9 "Dagupan" to "David" by Various

After Baudrimont, insects are, in presence of alcohols, chloroform, and irrespirable gases, similarly affected as man.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 303, October 22, 1881 by Various

An irrespirable gas, remaining after an explosion of fire damp in mines; choke damp.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah