[res.pi.ra.tion] n [ME respiracioun, fr. L respiration-, respiratio, fr. respirare] (15c) 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 adj