smooth breathing

noun

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

Compare rough breathing.

Origin of smooth breathing

First recorded in 1740–50

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British Dictionary definitions for smooth breathing

smooth breathing

noun

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

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