BREATHE


Meaning of BREATHE in English

/breedh/ , v. , breathed /breedhd/ , breathing .

v.i.

1. to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale; respire.

2. (in speech) to control the outgoing breath in producing voice and speech sounds.

3. to pause, as for breath; take rest: How about giving me a chance to breathe?

4. to move gently or blow lightly, as air.

5. to live; exist: Hardly a man breathes who has not known great sorrow.

6. to be redolent of.

7. (of a material) to allow air and moisture to pass through easily: The jacket is comfortable because the fabric breathes.

8. (of the skin) to absorb oxygen and give off perspiration.

9. (of a wine) to be exposed to air after being uncorked, in order to develop flavor and bouquet.

v.t.

10. to inhale and exhale in respiration.

11. to exhale: Dragons breathe fire.

12. to inject as if by breathing; infuse: She breathed life into the party.

13. to give utterance to; whisper.

14. to express; manifest.

15. to allow to rest or recover breath: to breathe a horse.

16. to deprive of breath; tire; exhaust.

17. to cause to pant; exercise.

18. breathe down someone's neck ,

a. to be close to someone in pursuit; menace; threaten: Police from four states were breathing down his neck.

b. to watch someone closely so as to supervise or control: If everyone keeps breathing down my neck, how can I get my work done?

19. breathe freely , to have relief from anxiety, tension, or pressure: Now that the crisis was over, he could breathe freely. Also, breathe easily, breathe easy .

20. breathe one's last , to die: He breathed his last and was buried in the churchyard.

21. not breathe a word or syllable , to maintain secrecy; keep a matter confidential: I'll tell you if you promise not to breathe a word.

[ 1250-1300; ME brethen, deriv. of BREATH ]

Syn. 14. utter, tell, murmur, voice; reveal, divulge.

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .