n.
Pronunciation: ˌ res-p ə - ' r ā -sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English respiracioun, from Latin respiration-, respiratio, from respirare
Date: 15th century
1 a : the placing of air or dissolved gases in intimate contact with the circulating medium of a multicellular organism (as by breathing) b : a single complete act of breathing
2 : the physical and chemical processes by which an organism supplies its cells and tissues with the oxygen needed for metabolism and relieves them of the carbon dioxide formed in energy-producing reactions
3 : any of various energy-yielding oxidative reactions in living matter
– re · spi · ra · to · ry \ ' res-p( ə -)r ə - ˌ to ̇ r- ē , ri- ' sp ī -r ə - \ adjective