breath-catchingn.
/ˈbrɛθˌkatʃɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈbrɛθˌkɛtʃɪŋ/, /ˈbrɛθˌkætʃɪŋ/ Now somewhat rare.
A sudden checking or stopping of the breath, esp. as a result of experiencing extreme surprise or other strong emotion. Also: recovery of one's normal rate of breathing after a period of vigorous activity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > [noun] > breath > suspension
breath-catching1838
breath-holding1861
1838 Sydney Gaz. 11 Dec. Mrs. Taylor played a character in the first piece that should have been Mrs. Cameron's, but, with the exception of a little extra allowance of breath-catching, she got through it wonderfully.
1868 Mrs. H. Wood Flowers in Argosy June ‘What's killing him?’ cried Sale, with..a sort of breath-catching.
1929 Commercial Tribune (Cincinnati) 21 Sept. 1/1 That caused some breath-catching in the jammed little committee room under the Capitol dome.
2018 Niagara Gaz. (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) (Nexis) 28 June Admittedly, I did a lot of ‘breath-catching’ on my way up, although my fellow travelers did a pretty good job with those steps.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2020; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
breath-catchingadj.
/ˈbrɛθˌkatʃɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈbrɛθˌkɛtʃɪŋ/, /ˈbrɛθˌkætʃɪŋ/ 1. That stops the breath momentarily; that causes the breath to catch in the throat.
ΚΠ
1834 Metropolitan Mag. Nov. 258 My grief had now settled down into a sullen resentment, agreeably relieved, at due intervals, by breath-catching sobs.
1962 Adirondack (N.Y.) Enterprise 24 Jan. It's a world of white frozen scrub, ice coated rock and whistling breath catching winds.
2002 Daily Mirror (Nexis) 4 May The students bundle out from the warmth of the school into the breath-catching cold.
2. figurative. That arouses a sudden feeling of surprise and admiration; thrilling; astonishing; = breathtaking adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > feeling of wonder, astonishment > quality of inspiring wonder > [adjective]
wonderlyc893
wonderfula1100
wondera1175
wondersa1300
marvellousc1330
marvela1400
marvelly?a1400
mirablec1429
admirablec1450
marvellablec1450
mirific1490
wondrous1509
extonious1548
portentious1549
miraculous1569
geason1572
mirificalc1572
astounding1590
amazing1593
wonderedc1595
admiring1598
prodigious1600
astonishable1603
fabulous1609
wondered-at?1611
necromantic1627
stupendous1640
nigromantic1645
mirandous1652
surprising1665
mirabundous1694
astonishinga1704
wondersome1774
sublime1813
nasty1834
kill-me-quite1842
breathtaking1843
breath-catching1865
miracle-working1867
mouth opening1867
stupefying1870
gee whiz1889
scorching1890
doozy1903
sensational1909
eye-popping1918
wunnerful1924
crashing1931
staggering1934
eyewatering1950
mind-boggling1955
Ozymandian1961
knock-out1966
mind-blowing1966
motherfucking1973
boggling1975
gobsmacking1981
tubular1982
1865 A. Thomas On Guard II. xxvii. 169 As it was uncommonly like real life, and not at all breath-catching—his publisher was very despondent about it.
1928 Daily Tel. 6 Nov. 14/5 Green, Wood and Violet..do some breath-catching tumbles.
1992 P. Collins Let. to Louise 19 I felt that uplifting, breathcatching exhilaration you get when the season changes.
2005 Musical Times Summer 76 We have a shock deviation, made extra-magical by..the hushed entry of the double basses to add breath-catching depth to the unfolding harmonic mystery.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2020; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1838adj.1834