Word Direct Answers

What does "expire" mean?

Expire: To give forth insensibly or gently, as a fluid or vapor; to emit in minute particles; to exhale; as, the earth expires a damp vapor; plants expire odors. The expiring of cold out of the inward parts of the earth in winter. Bacon.

Additional senses

  1. 2.To emit; to give out. [Obs.] Dryden.
  2. 3.To bring to a close; to terminate. [Obs.] Expire the term Of a despised life. Shak.
  3. 4.To emit the breath.
  4. 5.To emit the last breath; to breathe out the life; to die; as, to expire calmly; to expire in agony.
  5. 6.To come to an end; to cease; to terminate; to perish; to become extinct; as, the flame expired; his lease expires to-day; the month expired on Saturday.
  6. 7.To burst forth; to fly out with a blast. [Obs.] "The ponderous ball expires." Dryden.

Sources