intransitive verb, transitive verb breathed, breathing breath′·ing

1. 1. to take (air) into the lungs and let it out again; inhale and exhale, esp. easily and naturally
   2. to inhale (in full, breathe in) or exhale (in full, breathe out)
   3. to carry on respiration (sense )
2. to live
3. Old Poet. to give out (an odor)
4. to give out or instill as if by breathing to breathe confidence
5. Old Poet. to blow softly
6. to speak or sing softly; whisper; murmur
7. to give or take time to breathe; rest to breathe a horse
8. to pant or cause to pant, as from exertion
9. to react with the air after being opened or decanted and thus develop further in flavor and bouquet: said of wine
10. to allow the passage of air, water, vapor, etc. through or as through pores: said of fabrics

Etymology: ME brethen < breth, breath