Pronunciation: ' br ē th
Function: verb
Inflected Form: breathed ; breath · ing
Etymology: Middle English brethen, from breth
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1 a : to draw air into and expel it from the lungs : RESPIRE broadly : to take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide through natural processes b : to inhale and exhale freely
2 : LIVE
3 a obsolete : to emit a fragrance or aura b : to become perceptible : be expressed <a personality that breathe s and that distinguishes his work ― Bennett Schiff>
4 : to pause and rest before continuing
5 : to blow softly
6 : to feel free of restraint <needs room to breathe >
7 of wine : to develop flavor and bouquet by exposure to air
8 a : to permit passage of air or vapor <a fabric that breathe s > b of an internal combustion engine : to use air to support combustion
transitive verb
1 a : to send out by exhaling b : to instill by or as if by breathing < breathe new life into the movement>
2 : to give rest from exertion to
3 : to take in in breathing < breathe the scent of pines>
4 : to inhale and exhale < breathe air>
5 a : UTTER , EXPRESS <don't breathe a word of it to anyone> b : to make manifest : EVINCE <the novel breathe s despair>
– breathe down one's neck
1 : to threaten especially in attack or pursuit
2 : to keep one under close or constant surveillance <parents always breathing down his neck >
– breathe easy or breathe easier or breathe easily or breathe freely : to enjoy relief (as from pressure or danger)