rough breathing

American  

noun

1. the symbol (ʿ) used in the writing of Greek to indicate aspiration of the initial vowel or of the ρ (rho) over which it is placed.

2. the aspirated sound indicated by this mark.

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rough breathing British  

noun

1. (in Greek) the sign ( ) placed over an initial letter, or a second letter if the word begins with a diphthong, indicating that (in ancient Greek) it was pronounced with an h Compare smooth breathing

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Etymology

Origin of rough breathing

1740–50; translation of Latin spiritus asper

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rough breathing

Various other particulars interesting to those who study the Greek text in the original, as those relating to the accents, the smooth and rough breathing, and the iota subscript, are here omitted.

From Companion to the Bible by Barrows, E. P. (Elijah Porter)

It is a rough breathing, like the "huff" of an angry cat, and a serious dispute between the birds reminds one of nothing but a disagreement in the feline family.

From In Nesting Time by Miller, Olive Thorne

Initial ρ and υ always take the rough breathing; and double ρ in the middle of a word takes the smooth breathing on the first, and the rough on the second.

From Greek in a Nutshell by Strong, James

A smooth final mute is roughened before a vowel with the rough breathing.

From Greek in a Nutshell by Strong, James

"The child of 'Ellas and of Ollywell Street'—innocent of—er—the rough breathing," suggested Maddox.

From The Divine Fire by Sinclair, May