n.
Pronunciation: ' breth
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English breth, from Old English br ǣ th; akin to Old High German br ā dam breath, and perhaps to Old English beorma yeast ― more at BARM
Date: before 12th century
1 a : air filled with a fragrance or odor b : a slight indication : SUGGESTION <the faintest breath of scandal>
2 a : the faculty of breathing <recovering his breath after the race> b : an act of breathing <fought to the last breath > c : opportunity or time to breathe : RESPITE
3 : a slight breeze
4 a : air inhaled and exhaled in breathing <bad breath > b : something (as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breath or breathing c : INHALATION
5 : a spoken sound : UTTERANCE
6 : SPIRIT , ANIMATION
– breath of fresh air : a welcome or refreshing change
– in one breath or in the same breath : almost simultaneously
– out of breath : breathing very rapidly (as from strenuous exercise)
– under one's breath : so as to be barely audible <mumbled something under his breath >