breath definition - Dictionary

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breath

breath [ breth ] (plural breaths)

noun

Definition:

1. air breathed in and out: the air that a person or animal inhales and exhales

2. air exhaled: the air that somebody exhales, especially with reference to how it feels or smells to somebody nearby

3. breathing of air: an inhaling or exhaling of air, or the entire process of inhaling and exhaling

take a deep breath

4. hint: a faint hint of something

a breath of scandal

5. life: the vital force or spirit of a living person or animal

6. short pause: a momentary pause or respite

7. waft: a fleeting or slight fragrance or movement of air

not a breath of wind

8. soft sound: a sound or whispering that is soft and almost inaudible

[ Old English bræþ "odor, especially of something burning or cooking" < Indo-European, "heat"]

a breath of fresh air somebody or something that is refreshingly new and exciting

catch your breath

1. to stop breathing for an instant, especially because of shock or physical pain

2. to regain a normal breathing rhythm after exertion

don't hold your breath used to indicate that it is extremely unlikely that something will happen (informal)

in the same breath at almost the same moment or shortly afterward

out of breath breathing heavily because of physical exertion

take somebody's breath away to astonish or greatly impress somebody

under your breath in a whispering or muttering voice

with bated breath full of anxious anticipation

Word Usage


	breath or breathe? The noun is breath (not a breath of air moving), and the verb is breathe (hard to breathe in the sultry air). Only the verb has the -e at the end.

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