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suspire

[suh-spahyuh r]
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verb (used without object), sus·pired, sus·pir·ing.
  1. to sigh.
  2. to breathe.
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verb (used with object), sus·pired, sus·pir·ing.
  1. to sigh; utter with long, sighing breaths.
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Origin of suspire

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin suspīrāre, equivalent to su- su- + spīrāre to breathe
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for suspire

suspire

verb archaic, or poetic
  1. to sigh or utter with a sigh; yearn
  2. (intr) to breathe; respire
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Derived Formssuspiration (ˌsʌspɪˈreɪʃən), noun

Word Origin

C15: from Latin suspīrāre to take a deep breath, from sub- + spīrāre to breathe
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 suspire

v.

mid-15c., from Latin suspirare "to draw a deep breath, sigh," from sub "under" + spirare "to breathe" (see spirit).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper