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breath definition

breath (bret̸h)

noun

  1. air taken into the lungs and then let out
  2. the act of breathing; respiration
  3. the power to breathe easily and naturally to get one's breath back
  4. life or spirit
  5. air or vapor given off from anything
  6. air carrying fragrance or odor
  7. a puff or whiff, as of air; slight breeze
  8. moisture produced by a condensing of the breath, as in cold air
  9. an utterance, esp. in a low voice; whisper or murmur
  10. the time taken by a single respiration; a moment
  11. a slight pause or rest
  12. a faint hint or indication
  13. Phonet. a voiceless exhalation of the airstream with relative stillness at the vocal cords, as in pronouncing (s) or (p)

Etymology: ME breth < OE bræth, odor, exhalation < IE base *bher-, well up > ferment, barm, brood

breath Idioms

catch one's breath

  1. to gasp
  2. to return to normal breathing after exertion
  3. Informal to rest or pause

in the same breath

almost simultaneously

out of breath

breathless, as from exertion

save one's breath

Informal to refrain from talking when talk would be useless

take someone's breath away

strike someone with awe; thrill

under one's breath

or below one's breath
in a whisper or murmur

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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