Word Direct Answers

What does "breath" mean?

Breath: The act of breathing naturally or freely; the power or capacity to breathe freely; as, I am out of breath.

Additional senses

  1. 2.The power of respiration, and hence, life. Hood. Thou takest away their breath, they die. Ps. civ.
  2. 3.4. Time to breathe; respite; pause. Give me some breath, some little pause. Shak.
  3. 4.A single respiration, or the time of making it; a single act; an instant. He smiles and he frowns in a breath. Dryden.
  4. 5.Fig.: That which gives or strengthens life. The earthquake voice of victory, To thee the breath of life. Byron.
  5. 6.A single word; the slightest effort; a triffle. A breath can make them, as a breath has made. Goldsmith.
  6. 7.A very slight breeze; air in gentle motion. Calm and unruffled as a summer's sea, when not a breath of wind flies o'er its surface. Addison.
  7. 8.Fragrance; exhalation; odor; perfume. Tennison. The breath of flowers. Bacon.
  8. 9.Gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration. An after dinner's breath. Shak. Out of breath, breathless, exhausted; breathing with difficulty. -- Under one's breath, in low tones.

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