breathe

English

/bɹiːð/, /bɹið/

verb
Definitions
  • (intransitive) To draw air into (inhale), and expel air from (exhale), the lungs in order to extract oxygen and excrete waste gases.
  • (intransitive) To take in needed gases and expel waste gases in a similar way.
  • (transitive) To inhale (a gas) to sustain life.
  • (intransitive) To live.
  • (transitive) To draw something into the lungs.
  • (intransitive) To expel air from the lungs, exhale.
  • (transitive) To exhale or expel (something) in the manner of breath.
  • (transitive) To give an impression of, to exude.
  • (transitive) To whisper quietly.
  • To pass like breath; noiselessly or gently; to emanate; to blow gently.
  • (intransitive) To exchange gases with the environment.
  • (intransitive) To rest; to stop and catch one's breath.
  • (transitive) To stop, to give a horse an opportunity to catch its breath.
  • (transitive) To exercise; to tire by brisk exercise.
  • (transitive) To passionately devote much of one's life to (an activity, etc.).

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English brethen (odour, breathe, blow, exhale), breth (breath).

Origin

Middle English

breth

Gloss

breath

Concept
Semantic Field

The body

Ontological Category

Other

Kanji

Emoji
🫁

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms