- Main Entry:
- breathe
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈbrēth\
- Function:
- verb
- Inflected Form(s):
- breathed; breath·ing
- Etymology:
- Middle English brethen, from breth
- Date:
- 14th century
intransitive verb1 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 freely2: live3 aobsolete : to emit a fragrance or aura b: to become perceptible : be expressed <a personality that breathes and that distinguishes his work — Bennett Schiff>4: to pause and rest before continuing5: to blow softly6: to feel free of restraint <needs room to breathe>7of wine : to develop flavor and bouquet by exposure to air8 a: to permit passage of air or vapor <a fabric that breathes> bof an internal combustion engine : to use air to support combustiontransitive verb1 a: to send out by exhaling b: to instill by or as if by breathing <breathe new life into the movement>2: to give rest from exertion to3: to take in in breathing <breathe the scent of pines>4: to inhale and exhale <breathe air>5 a: utter, express <don't breathe a word of it to anyone> b: to make manifest : evince <the novel breathes despair>
—
breathe down one's neck 1: to threaten especially in attack or pursuit2: to keep one under close or constant surveillance <parents always breathing down his neck>
—
breathe easy or breathe easier or breathe easily or breathe freely : to enjoy relief (as from pressure or danger)
