| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. |
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| breath |
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| PRONUNCIATION: |  br th |
| NOUN: | 1. The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration. 2. The act or process of breathing; respiration. 3. The capacity to breathe, especially in a natural and unlabored manner: shortness of breath. 4. Spirit or vitality; life. 5. A single respiration: a deep breath. 6. Exhaled air, as evidenced by vapor, odor, or heat. 7. A momentary pause or rest. 8a. A momentary stirring of air. b. A slight gust of fragrant air. 9. A trace or suggestion: a breath of scandal. 10. A softly spoken sound; a whisper. 11. Linguistics Exhalation of air without vibration of the vocal cords, as in the articulation of p and s. | | IDIOMS: | in one (or the same) breath At or almost at the same time. out of breath Breathing with difficulty, as from exertion; gasping. under (one's) breath In a muted voice or whisper. | | ETYMOLOGY: | Middle English breth, from Old English br th. See gwhr - in Appendix I.
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| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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