[breathe] vb breathed ; breath.ing [ME brethen, fr. breth] vi (14c) 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 obs: to emit a fragrance or aura b: to become perceptible: be expressed "a personality that ~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 ~"
7. of wine: to develop flavor and bouquet by exposure to air
8. a: to permit passage of air or vapor "a fabric that ~s" b of an internal-combustion engine: to use air to support combustion ~ vt 1 a: to send out by exhaling b: to instill by or as if by breathing "~ new life into the movement"
2: to give rest from exertion to
3: to take in in breathing "~ the scent of pines"
4: to inhale and exhale "~ air"
5. a: utter, express "don't ~ a word of it to anyone" b: to make manifest: evince "the novel ~s despair" -- breathe down one's neck 1: to threaten esp. in attack or pursuit
2: to keep one under close or constant surveillance "parents always breathing down his neck" -- breathe easily or breathe freely : to enjoy relief (as from pressure or danger)