ap·ne·a also ap·noe·a 
(ăpnē-ə, ăp-nēə)
(ăpnē-ə, ăp-nēə)n.
Temporary absence or voluntary cessation of breathing.
[New Latin apnoea, from Greek apnoia : a-, without; see A-1 + pnoiā, -pnoia, breathing (from pnein, to breathe; see pneu- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).]
ap·neic adj. & n.