ˈbreth noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English breeth, breth, from Old English brǣth; akin to Old High German brādam breath, heat, Old Norse brāth tar, Old English beorma yeast — more at barm
1.
a. : steam, smoke, vapor, or other emanation
the breath of the fire
the breath from the river
b. : air charged with a certain fragrance, odor, or other suggestion
the breath of roses in the parlor
carrying with him the breath of the grave
: emanation , suggestion
a breath of mystery about the proceedings
2.
a. : the faculty or power of breathing freely and naturally
he is near death; his breath is failing
recovering his breath after his mad dash
b. : the act of breathing : a single inhalation or exhalation
fighting to his last breath
speaking also of his brother in the same breath
c. : opportunity to breathe : time to breathe or recover one's breath : time for rest or recovery : respite
granting some pause, some breath
3. : a slight breeze : air in gentle motion
not a breeze — no breath of air — William Wordsworth
4.
a. : air exhaled from the lungs especially as made apparent by odor or vapor
his breath smells bad
a strong smell of whiskey on his breath
to see one's breath on a cold day
b. : air inhaled and exhaled
to draw breath
after the breath has left one's body
c. : inhalation : amount of gas inhaled
a breath of nitrous oxide
5.
a. : breath used in speech : spoken sound or sounds : whisper , utterance
no breath of objection was heard
sometimes : a slight utterance, gesture or similar act
b. : moisture condensed from one's breath
to see one's breath on a pane of glass
sometimes : a slight stain or tarnish
there had never been a breath on her reputation — Edith Wharton
c. : air blown through a musical instrument ; also : the resulting sound
the breath of the trumpet
6. : spirit , animation , vitality , life
many a bard's untimely death lends unto his verses breath — Edna S.V.Millay
7. : expiration of air with the glottis wide open so that there is no audible vibration of the vocal cords (as in the formation of f and s sounds) — compare breathed , voiceless
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- below one's breath
- in one breath
- out of breath