v.
Pronunciation: ri- ' sp ī (- ə )r
Function: verb
Inflected Form: re · spired ; re · spir · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin respirare, from re- + spirare to blow, breathe
Date: 15th century
intransitive verb
1 : BREATHE specifically : to inhale and exhale air successively
2 of a cell or tissue : to take up oxygen and produce carbon dioxide through oxidation
transitive verb : BREATHE