breath

[ breth ]

/ brɛθ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR breath ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.

respiration, especially as necessary to life.

life; vitality.

the ability to breathe easily and normally: She stopped to regain her breath.

time to breathe; pause or respite: Give him a little breath.

a single inhalation or respiration: He took a deep breath.

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.

a slight suggestion, hint, or whisper: The breath of slander never touched her.

a light current of air.

Phonetics.

the air drawn into or expelled from the lungs to provide the generative source for most speech sounds.
the audible expiration generating voiceless speech sounds, as (p), (k), (sh), etc.

moisture emitted in respiration, especially when condensed and visible.

a trivial circumstance; trifle.

an odorous exhalation, or the air impregnated by it.

Obsolete. exhalation or vapor.

Nearby words

Idioms

below/under one's breath, in a low voice or whisper; sotto voce: He protested under his breath because he was afraid to speak up.

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.

in the same breath, at virtually the same time; almost simultaneously: She lost her temper and apologized in the same breath.

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.

save one's breath, to avoid futile talk or discussion: We were told to save our breath because the matter had already been decided.

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.

Origin of breath

before 900; Middle English breth, breeth, Old English brǣth smell, exhalation; akin to German Brodem vapor, steam

SYNONYMS FOR breath

3. spirit, animation, vigor, force.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR breath ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsin·ter·breath, adjective

Can be confusedbreadth breath breathe

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for save one's breath

breath

/ (brɛθ) /

noun

the intake and expulsion of air during respiration

the air inhaled or exhaled during respiration

a single respiration or inhalation of air, etc

the vapour, heat, or odour of exhaled airhis breath on the window melted the frost

a slight gust of air

a short pause or resttake a breath for five minutes

a brief timeit was done in a breath

a suggestion or slight evidence; suspiciona breath of scandal

a whisper or soft sound

life, energy, or vitalitythe breath of new industry

phonetics the passage of air through the completely open glottis without vibration of the vocal cords, as in exhaling or pronouncing fricatives such as (f) or (h) or stops such as (p) or (k)Compare voice (def. 11)

a breath of fresh air a refreshing change from what one is used to

catch one's breath to rest until breathing is normal, esp after exertion

hold one's breath to wait expectantly or anxiously

in the same breath done or said at the same time

out of breath gasping for air after exertion

save one's breath to refrain from useless talk

take one's breath away to overwhelm with surprise, etc

under one's breath or below one's breath in a quiet voice or whisper

Word Origin for breath

Old English brǣth; related to brǣdan to burn, Old High German brādam heat, 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 save one's breath

breath

Old English bræð "odor, scent, stink, exhalation, vapor" (Old English word for "air exhaled from the lungs" was æðm), from Proto-Germanic *bræthaz "smell, exhalation" (cf. Old High German bradam, German Brodem "breath, steam"), from PIE root *gwhre- "to breathe, smell."

Medicine definitions for save one's breath

breath

[ brĕth ]

n.

The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.

A single respiration.

Idioms and Phrases with save one's breath

save one's breath

Refrain from arguing about a lost cause, as in You can save your breath; I'm not going to change my mind. This term was also put as save your breath to cool your porridge (or broth), that is, by not blowing on the too hot liquid. The idea of not expending one's breath to say something another person doesn't want to hear dates from the early 1700s.

breath

In addition to the idiom beginning with breath

breathe down someone's neck
breathe easy
breathe life into
breathe one's last
breathing space
breath of fresh air

also see:

catch one's breath
hold one's breath
in the same breath
out of breath
save one's breath
take one's breath away
under one's breath
waste one's breath
with bated breath

breath

noun

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breath

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