breathev.
/briːð/, U.S. /brið/ I. To produce an odour or vapour, and related senses.† 1. intransitive. To evaporate; to rise as vapour; to give off vapour. Obsolete.In quot. c1300 with up.Cf. to breathe out 2 at Phrasal verbs 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > gas > [verb (intransitive)] > emit fumes or vapour
breathec1300
fume?1533
vapour1552
steam1614
vaporate1623
rokea1700
smoke1733
outgas1962
off-gas1979
c1300 St. Michael (Harl.) in T. Wright Pop. Treat. Sci. (1841) 136 The sonne..maketh wateres brethi up as hi schulde swete.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. vi. xxi. 327 What is sotile breþid [L. exhalet] and passiþ vpward in sethinge, and what is..nouȝt sotile abidiþ stille.
1562 P. Whitehorne Certain Waies Orderyng Souldiers f. 28v, in tr. N. Machiavelli Arte of Warre Puttinge them into a greate yerthen potte..lute it or daube it verie wel aboute, so that it cannot breathe.
2.
a. intransitive. To emit a perfume or odour; to smell. Now rare.In later use influenced by sense 3a(a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > [verb (intransitive)]
stinkc725
steamOE
smellc1175
smakec1315
savoura1400
taragec1407
flavourc1425
scentc1460
breathea1500
smell1526
a1500 (a1477) Black Bk. (Soc. of Antiquaries) in A. R. Myers Househ. Edward IV (1959) 120 To make amonges them othyr swete fumes, thinges to make them brethe most holesomly and delectable.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 140 Bame &..balsaum þat brethid full swete.
1714 A. Pope Rape of Lock (new ed.) i. 8 All Arabia breaths from yonder Box.
1878 Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Daily Sentinel 6 May 5/4 What is that delicious odor? Not the scent of the roses, though they breathe sweetly as they hang their lovely heads in the June sunshine.
1930 R. Campbell Adamastor 71 The dark woods that breathe of fallen showers.
b. transitive. To emit (a perfume, odour, etc.); to produce; to send forth.In later use influenced by sense 3a(b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > [verb (transitive)]
breathe1532
flavour1542
season1559
smellc1595
resent1602
stop1607
fling1637
tinge1690
savour1832
odorize1857
steam1861
1532 Remedy of Love in Wks. G. Chaucer f. ccclxviiv/1 My chambre is strowed with myrre & ensence With sote sauoring aloes, & with synamome Breathyng an aromatyke redolence Surmountyng olybane.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 607 What wonder then if fields and regions here Breathe forth Elixir pure. View more context for this quotation
1740 W. Somervile Hobbinol i. 101 The tufted Cowslips breathe their faint Perfumes.
1839 T. Arnold in A. P. Stanley Life & Corr. T. Arnold (1858) II. ix. 140 The rocks actually breathing fragrance from the number of their aromatic plants.
2008 A. Chase Dark Obsession (e-book ed.) Though unoccupied, the room breathed Grayson's familiar scent, a heady mingling of the earthy outdoors and genteel grooming.
c. intransitive. figurative. To be redolent or suggestive of something.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > meaning of linguistic unit > convey meaning [verb (intransitive)]
soundc1374
hight1579
breathe1697
read1891
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 140 Down from his Head the liquid Odours ran; He breath'd of Heav'n, and look'd above a Man.
1796 A. Seward Lett. (1811) IV. 196 An abode which, though a mansion..spacious to my utmost wish, breathes of nothing above the level of mere common and stileless life.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Mariana in South (rev. ed.) vi, in Poems (new ed.) I. 91 Old letters, breathing of her worth.
1939 Street & Smith's Western Story Mag. 23 Sept. 90/1 Nevada still breathes of the old West, but has plenty of modern conveniences.
2014 Deeside Piper & Herald (Nexis) 6 Sept. Past Dundonnell House, by meadows and woods that breathed of former opulence, the narrow lane eventually took us to the lonely moors above Little Loch Broom.
II. To inhale and exhale, and related senses.† 6. intransitive. With to-infinitive or to followed by a noun. To aspire to something or to do something; to long to attain something. Obsolete.Cf. to breathe after —— at Phrasal verbs 2.
3.
a.
(a) intransitive. To exhale air from the lungs; to blow gently on (or upon) a person or thing, or into a thing.Cf. to breathe out 1c at Phrasal verbs 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > exhalation > exhale [verb (intransitive)]
breathea1382
spirea1382
blazec1384
inspire1513
tuff?1553
to breathe out1576
huff1582
expire1633
outbreathe1638
aspirec1750
exhale1863
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 370) (1850) 4 Kings iv. 35 The chyld brethed [a1425 L.V. ȝoxide; L. oscitavit] seuen sithes, and opnede the eeȝen.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) John xx. 22 He brethed upon them [ Wyclif, he blewe on hem], and sayde vnto them: Receaue the holy goost.
1700 J. Jones Myst. Opium Reveal'd ii. 15 The more it sparkles when cut, and afterward breath'd upon three or four times, the truer is the Opium.
1794 Pardon & Dyche's New Gen. Eng. Dict. (ed. 17) Anaclastic, a term given to a kind of sonorous phials or glasses, which have the property of being flexible, and emitting a vehement noise..on breathing into them.
1847 C. Brontë Jane Eyre I. iv. 47 I fell to breathing on the frost-flowers with which the window was fretted.
1950 Pop. Sci. June 135/1 The worker [in the image] at right is shown breathing into a balloon. His breath is then collected in a vacuum flask, which is mailed..to the Bureau.
2004 A. Greig In Another Light (2005) 16 The young Siamese barboy polishes fresh glasses, breathes on one, holds it up to the sun then polishes it some more.
(b) transitive. To exhale (something); to impart (something) by exhaling.figurative in quot. 1782 with winter as a personification.See also to breathe out 1b at Phrasal verbs 1 and to breathe life into at Phrases 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > spreading or diffusion > [verb (transitive)] > specific something immaterial
sowc888
forspreada1300
breathea1425
diffusea1425
transfusec1425
sparkle?1533
seminate1535
enlarge1553
propagate1554
disperse1576
proseminate1619
disseminate1643
infusea1672
overpass1679
to set abroad1688
vulgate1851
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > emit > as by breathing
breathea1425
respire1577
expire?1606
spire1649
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Gen. ii. 7 The Lord God..brethide [E.V. a1382 Bodl. 959 spyride] in to his face the brething of lijf.
1567 G. Fenton tr. M. Bandello Certaine Tragicall Disc. f. 268v Her courall mouthe, breathinge a perfume more precious and sweete, then any confection made of the Amber, muske, or other droge aromatike comynge oute of Arabia.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iv. i. 7 Who..from their misty Iawes, Breath foule contagious darknesse in the ayre. View more context for this quotation
a1708 T. Ward England's Reformation (1710) i. 21 At this the King grew desperate hot,..His Eyes struck Fire he breathed smoak.
1782 W. Cowper Table Talk in Poems 294 Place me where Winter breathes his keenest air.
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxiv. 104 Her unvoic'd lips breathed incense faintly to heaven.
1987 K. Lette Girls' Night Out (1989) 107 He flung his great simian arm around my neck and breathed garlic into my face.
2006 Vancouver Sun (Nexis) 25 July e8 As others jumped in to pull the teen from the bottom of the tub, Pipkin's father began trying to breathe air into his son's mouth.
(c) transitive. figurative. To infuse, instil, or inspire (a quality, characteristic, feeling, etc.) into a person or thing.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > teaching > instilling ideas > instil ideas [verb (transitive)]
planteOE
impressc1374
insinuate1529
instil1533
implanta1541
infuse1548
still1551
breathe1561
reinstila1711
imbibe1746
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. iii. f. 176 That God should breathe his ryghteousnesse into vs, wherby we maye be really righteous with him.
a1645 W. Browne tr. M. Le Roy Hist. Polexander (1647) v. ii. 339 The resolution that hatred can breath into haughty courages.
1749 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. (ed. 3) I. Pref. p. vii He breathed courage and ardour into their soldiers; made their armies..invincible in battle.
1854 T. De Quincey Autobiogr. Sketches III. i. 26 in Wks. I The deadly fear, which had been breathed into him by Mrs. Schreiber's scale of expenditure.
1901 W. S. Rainford Baccalaureate Serm. 23 This is the Christianity that can breathe peace into the deep unrestfulness of our times.
1942 G. M. Trevelyan Eng. Social Hist. xiv. 459 In the early Nineteenth Century the Evangelical revival..breathed fresh power into Scottish religion.
2020 Eurasia Rev. (Nexis) 16 May This is a time when true leaders will be measured by their ability to breathe energy into their teams.
(d) transitive. To bring (something) into (or to) a particular state by breathing. Often figurative. Chiefly in to breathe (something) into life (cf. to breathe life into at Phrases 2).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > breathe [verb (transitive)] > bring to or into state by breathing
breathe1762
1762 Consolatory Epist. to Members Old Faction 75 Oh for our Shakesperian Hogarth's all-creative talents! Soon would my animating pencil breathe it into life!
1770 G. Smith Six Pastorals iii. 18 Give me thy hands, nor let me sigh in vain; Oh! let me breathe them into life again.
1816 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Canto III lxxix. 44 This breathed itself to life in Júlie.
1848 Graham's Mag. Oct. 214/1 Amid all this scene of enchantment, which spread out before and around her, as if her own loveliness had breathed it into existence.
2013 R. Rowell Fangirl (2014) 99 Cath sat at the table, trying not to lean on his papers or breathe them into disorder.
b.
(a) intransitive. To inhale and exhale, esp. as a continuous physiological process.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > breathe [verb (intransitive)]
etheOE
breathea1398
andea1400
respire?a1425
blowc1440
queasea1500
suspire1600
respirate1668
rake1793
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. xxxv. 236 Somme watir bestes breþeþ, as þe dolphyn.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xxxviii. l. 389 Onnethis there brethen they myhte.
1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie i. xvi. 94 When we breath, sleepe, mooue.
1651 Strange News Scotl. 4 He breathed with difficulty, his Legs swelled, his pulse failed, his skin changed colour, and many other horrid simptoms appeared.
1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. xi. 212 The Air in which we breath.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Morte d'Arthur in Poems (new ed.) II. 11 And answer made King Arthur, breathing hard.
1983 M. S. Peck People of Lie (1985) i. 18 There was such a tightness in his chest he could hardly breathe.
2007 Yoga Mag. Oct. 85/2 Having time to just lie down, and breathe deeply within a peaceful environment, where you won't get distracted, is of such importance.
(b) transitive. To inhale and exhale (air, fumes, etc.).The emphasis is sometimes on the action of inhaling; see e.g. quots. 1823 and 1988.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > breathe [verb (transitive)]
spire1382
breathea1398
respire?a1425
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. xi. xvi. 595 Whanne þe..eire beþ corrupt þe whiche we breþeþ.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 715 I breath free breath. View more context for this quotation
1651 T. Stanley Poems 172 O'erjoyd are they To breathe the air which she respires.
1768 J. Boswell Acct. Corsica 16 In general, the Corsicans breathe a pure atmosphere.
1823 W. Henry Elements Exper. Chem. (ed. 9) II. 605 A sensation..produced by breathing the fumes of burning sulphur.
1937 Amer. Home Apr. 163/2 (advt.) When summertime rolls around, it blower-cools your rooms and continues to filter dust and pollens from the air you breathe.
1988 J. Frame Carpathians iv. 24 Mattina breathed the sweet, spicy fragrance.
2009 Independent 24 Aug. 6/2 Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves sitting in a sealed chamber and breathing pure oxygen while the air pressure is slowly increased.
(c) intransitive. Biology. Of living organisms generally: to exchange air or gases with the environment; esp. to take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide; to respire.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by nutrition or respiration > [verb (intransitive)] > exude air or moisture
breathea1398
transpire1880
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xviii. i. 1098 Euerich beste breþeþ, but some by..þe mouþ oþer by þe nose, and somme by priue weies as by priue holes and pores, as been and flies.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. ix. vii. 237 I have divers pregnant and effectuall reasons inducing me to beleeve, that all water-creatures doe breath each one after their manner, as Nature hath ordained.
1722 Mem. Lit. (ed. 2) V. 101 Plants breathe in a true Sense.
1847 Sci. Amer. 16 Oct. 32/4 Insects breathe through holes or pores on each side of every segment of the abdomen, called spiracula.
1884 Health Exhib. Lit. (Internat. Health Exhib. London) 312 It may be thought, at first, that yeast does not breathe.
1958 W. E. Swinton Fossil Amphibians & Reptiles (ed. 2) ii. 5 Young amphibians breathe by gills during their early stages.
2016 Dayton (Ohio) Daily News (Nexis) 11 Mar. d6 Keep leaves free of dust (so plants can breathe) by taking them out occasionally and rinsing the leaves or wipe them with a soft cloth.
(d) intransitive. figurative. To be freed from worry, anxiety, or tension; to relax. Chiefly in to breathe again.See also to breathe freely at Phrases 4a.Not always clearly distinguishable from figurative use of sense 5b(b).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > become composed or calm [verb (intransitive)] > recover composure
to pull, shake oneself togethera1400
to return to oneself?1566
recollect1587
breathea1616
collect1631
recover1648
to take a pull (at or on oneself)1890
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. ii. 138 Now I breath againe Aloft the flood. View more context for this quotation
1840 Dublin Univ. Mag. Feb. 204/1 The present wretched camarilla must be swept away, before the country can breathe again.
1981 Times 9 Sept. 9/3 Sarah Daniels must count as a second generation feminist, and if this first play is a portent of what the sisterhood is now brewing up then male chauvinism can breathe again.
2014 Jerusalem Post (Nexis) 23 Dec. 1 We had to go through three checkpoints to get out, and at each one the terrorists were examining everyone...We could finally breathe once we reached the Ukrainian checkpoint, where we felt safe.
4.
a. intransitive. To live, exist.Cf. to live and breathe at live v.1 Phrases 4a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > source or principle of life > [verb (intransitive)]
liveeOE
aliveeOE
ylivec950
won971
goc1225
movea1325
breathea1382
reigna1400
to pass on earth (also mould)c1400
to draw (one's) breath?1570
exist1578
respire1619
to tread clay, this earth, shoe leather1789
to grab on1861
to store the kin1866
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1961) Josh. x. 40 Alle þat myȝte breþyn he slow.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. i. 161 Clarence still breathes, Edward still liues and raignes. View more context for this quotation
1674 T. Flatman Poems & Songs 132 Few be the days, that feeble man must breath.
1713 A. Pope Windsor-Forest 13 Oh wou'dst thou sing what Heroes Windsor bore, What Kings first breath'd upon her winding Shore.
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule xvii. 274 A better-intentioned fellow does not breathe.
1979 R. E. Wesley Mighty Gents 48 I must be ready to die, 'cause I'll be goddamned if he gets that money while I breathe.
2019 Express (Nexis) 18 June 13 He said he'll never stop worrying about his children as long as he breathes.
b. intransitive. In the same sense, with predicative noun or adjective indicating the status or condition in which a person or thing exists. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1589 G. Peele Tale of Troy in Farewell 9 He liues a sheepheards swayne on Ida hils, And breathes a man gainst Troy and Troyans wils That threatens fire to Troy, a iolly swaine.
a1596 G. Peele Loue King Dauid & Fair Bethsabe (1599) sig. Bivv As sure as Ioab breaths a victor here, Vrias will hast him, and his owne returne.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) iii. i. 81 Why? Am I dead? Do I not breath a Man? View more context for this quotation
a1653 Z. Boyd Zion's Flowers (1855) 67 Hee'le say our house yet never breathed scant.
1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey II. iv. v. 211 Within five minutes, you will breathe a beggar, and an outcast.
1992 A. Garfinkle Israel & Jordan Shadow of War iii. 99 In the story God tells the Prophet to speak to the bones, that they should come together, bear flesh, and breathe alive.
c. intransitive. figurative. With prepositional phrase as complement: to be alive or present in a person or thing, among a group of people, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > [verb (intransitive)]
liveeOE
beOE
i-bea1175
befindc1175
to be beleft1340
to consist of1565
exist1570
re1597
breathe1652
1652 T. Hall Font Guarded 126 The very spirit of Becold breathes in Collier; for that Taylouring King commanded all books to be burnt save the Bible, and so would this Collier..had he but that Taylors power.
1658 C. Gilbert Blessed Peace-maker 39 Its common and sad to see so much of that Antichristian Spirit breathing among us.
1733 A. Pope Ess. Man i. 269 One stupendous Whole..That..Breathes in our soul, informs our mortal part.
1863 A. P. Stanley Lect. Jewish Church I. v. 119 For its effects on Israel..we need not go back to any written narrative. It still moves and breathes amongst us.
1917 Vogue 15 Feb. 57/3 Working thus quietly, without haste and without rest..he made himself great. And this spirit breathes in his playing.
2009 Retford Times (Nexis) 19 Mar. 25 Marco triumphed as President of Rome's Baseball Club. His spirit breathes amongst us.
d. intransitive. figurative. With with. To be alive with a particular quality; to be or seem animated by something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > take up space [verb (intransitive)] > be or become full > be or become crowded > be crowded with things in motion
crawl1576
breathe1824
skreed1825
1824 La Belle Assemblée Apr. 182/1 The painting breathes with poetry and life.
1844 B. Disraeli Coningsby I. i. iii. 35 The staircase in fresco.., breathed with the loves and wars of Gods and heroes.
1989 R. Rabinowitz Spiritual Self in Everyday Life xvi. 204 The whole passage breathes with the spirit of an intensely private experience.
2009 Record (Bergen County, New Jersey) (Nexis) 28 Oct. The street breathes with new life as chic cafes, a sports club and an array of other businesses draw a crowd from Westwood and beyond.
5. † a. transitive (frequently reflexive). To give (a person or animal) vigorous exercise; to accustom (a person or animal) to something by exercise. Also: to tire or exhaust (a person or animal); to put out of breath. Obsolete.See also breathed adj.2 1, well-breathed adj. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > weary or exhaust [verb (transitive)] > put out of breath
breathec1425
abreathea1500
overbreathe1586
blow1651
outwind1708
wind1811
pump1858
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > do habitually [verb (transitive)] > accustom (a person) > by exercise
breathec1425
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disordered breathing > have or cause breathing disorder [verb (transitive)] > make short of breath
breathec1425
overbreathe1586
outwind1708
unwind1788
wind1811
pump1858
puff1909
c1425 [implied in: J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) i. l. 2347 (MED) Þouȝ he be neuer so wel expert in fyȝt..þouȝ he be best breþet to endure. (at breathed adj.2 1)].
1567 G. Turberville Epitaphes, Epigrams f. 79v You breath your foming steede Athwart the fields.
1611 T. Heywood Golden Age ii. sig. E2 Nor haue I yet bene to these pastimes breath'd.
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) ii. iii. 253 I thinke thou wast created for men to breath themselues vpon thee. View more context for this quotation
1750 H. Purefoy Let. 29 Jan. in G. Eland Purefoy Lett. (1931) II. xv. 394 I myself saw 8 or 10 of his Racehorses breathed on ye Common..on Straw Litter for a mile round.
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess Prol. 6 He had breath'd the Proctor's dogs.
1889 Manch. Weekly Times 3 Aug. (Suppl.) 1/2 How could my faithful followers be better employed than by breathing themselves in a little sword-play?
b.
(a) transitive. To give (a person or animal) time to rest and recover after vigorous physical activity; to give (a person or animal) a breather. Frequently reflexive: to rest and recover; to get one's breath back.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > refreshment or invigoration > refresh or invigorate [verb (reflexive)]
resteOE
ease1330
roa1400
ronea1400
refreshc1405
recomfortc1425
breathea1470
unweary1530
recreate1542
aira1616
recruit1646
refect1646
regale1682
unfatigue1734
renew1783
cheer1784
delassitude1807
the world > action or operation > ceasing > temporary cessation of activity or operation > cease from temporarily [verb (transitive)] > cause to cease temporarily > give rest to
restOE
abreathec1425
breathea1470
repose1562
sabbatize1701
spell1846
to rest up1974
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 843 He suffyrd hym to breeth hym, and thus they faught more than two owrys.
1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) I. 360/2 The kynges permission to hym graunted, to breath hym self a lytle and to walke abroad.
1596 T. Danett tr. P. de Commynes Hist. viii. vi. 333 When we had brethed our horses, we rid foorth a fast trot towards the King.
1642 T. Fuller Holy State iv. xvi. 325 Stopping..to breath himself and the Reader.
1824 R. Southey Life (1850) v. 177 Taking up a book for five or ten minutes, by way of breathing myself.
1922 L. J. Vance in Santa Ana (Calif.) Daily Evening Reg. 15 Sept. 19/1 He..reached the top in a bath of sweat, and sat down to cool and breathe himself.
2007 M. Gloss Hearts of Horses 190 Henry pulled up the team, which he said was to breathe the horses but it may have been to let everybody, including the horses, take in the view.
(b) intransitive. To rest and recover after vigorous physical activity; to take a breather. Also figurative: to pause in order to reflect, relax, or recover one's equilibrium; cf. sense 3b(d).Cf. to take breath at breath n. Phrases 4, to catch one's breath at catch v. Phrases 4.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > become composed or calm [verb (intransitive)]
saughtelc1400
breathe1485
pacify1509
settle1591
compose1663
to breathe freely (also easy, easily)1695
tranquillize1748
cool1836
simmer down1842
calm1877
relax1907
to cool it1952
to Zen out1968
mellow1974
to take a chill pill1981
chillax1994
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > refreshment or invigoration > become refreshed or invigorated [verb (intransitive)]
to take (one's, a) breatha1398
to pull, shake oneself togethera1400
wheta1400
recomfortc1425
revigour1447
breathe1485
respirea1500
convailc1500
unweary1530
air1633
recruit1644
refresh1644
reanimate1645
invigorate1646
rally1646
to perk upa1656
renovate1660
reawake1663
freshen1694
renervate1801
recuperate1843
to recharge one's (also the) batteries1911
the world > action or operation > ceasing > temporary cessation of activity or operation > temporarily cease activity or operation [verb (intransitive)]
restOE
pause1440
breathe1485
interpausea1535
respett1561
to take pausement1599
intermita1604
to turn down a (also the, this, etc.) leaf1633
interspire1647
suspend1650
stop1711
to hang up1845
1485 Malory's Morte Darthur (Caxton) ii. xviii. sig. dviii They..wounded eueryche other dolefully, and thenne they brethed oftymes, and so wente vnto bataille.
1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 1773/2 Without giuing long time to the residue of the Captaines of the Fortes..to breathe vpon their businesse.
1626 J. Smith Accidence Young Sea-men 19 Let vs breathe and refresh a little.
1720 J. Ozell et al. tr. R. A. de Vertot Hist. Revol. Rom. Republic II. xiv. 418 With Orders to give Antony no Time to breathe, but to pursue him forthwith.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 31 Twice they fought, and twice they breathed.
1982 Field & Stream Nov. 44/3 The deer seemed four times as heavy then,..and by the time I heaved it up the opposite slope I was blind with sweat. I sat down to breathe for a moment.
2020 Western Mail (Cardiff) (Nexis) 1 May 4 This latest funding package gives councils some time to breathe, but it doesn't solve the problem.
ΚΠ
1524 in State Papers Henry VIII (1836) IV. 245 The saide Archebusshop bretheth myche to honour.
1609 B. Jonson Masque of Queens in Wks. (1616) I. 961 [Boadicea's] orations..wherein is expressed all magnitude of a spirit, breathing to the libertie and redemption of her Countrie.
1662 J. Chandler tr. J. B. van Helmont Oriatrike 7 I more breathed to know; than to be enriched.
7. intransitive. Of the wind, the air, etc.: to blow softly. With adverbial or prepositional phrase indicating place or direction.With allusion to sense 3a(a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > blow (of the wind) [verb (intransitive)] > blow gently
breathe1567
perspire1648
breeze1682
waft1804
sniffle1885
zephyr1973
1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) vii. f. 94 Withdrawing for to coole my selfe I sought among the shades For Aire that from the valleyes colde came breathing in at glades.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. i. 49 The ayre breathes vpon vs here most sweetly. View more context for this quotation
1713 A. Pope Windsor-Forest 6 Where cooling Vapours breathe along the Mead.
1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 48 The wind that breathes upon the woods.
1924 Z. Grey Tales Southern Rivers 47 The sun shone brightly and the sky was azure and the breeze breathed off a summer sea.
2018 Canberra Times (Nexis) 13 Oct. 25 Every night I fall asleep listening to crickets, frogs and the wind breathing through the trees.
8.
a. intransitive. Of the skin, a part of the body, a material, etc.: to have access to air in order to facilitate the evaporation or dissipation of moisture or vapour.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > extremities > foot > [verb (intransitive)] > allow passage of air
breathe1897
1897 Middletown (N.Y.) Daily Argus 25 Jan. The invention to enable the feet to breathe consists..of a shoe having an insole, with three air channels that lead from a common center in the heel.
1938 Waunakee (Wisconsin) Tribune 3 Mar. 4/4 If waterproof paper is used on the outside of the poultry house, be sure to make some openings in it so that the wall can breathe to the outside.
1996 K. Cobb Men's Fitness Mag. Compl. Guide Health & Well-being vi. 223 Avoid exposure to new carpeting after installation...Even a few days' evacuation while the carpet breathes will help.
2015 Times of India (Nexis) 23 Feb. Choose summer-appropriate fabrics such as cotton and linen that allow the skin to breathe.
b. intransitive. Of textiles, items of clothing, etc.: to allow the passage of air and moisture, esp. in order to enable sweat to evaporate.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > types of material generally > [verb (intransitive)] > allow passage of air
breathe1915
1915 Decaturs (Illinois) Daily 16 Nov. (Home ed.) (advt.) The last word in perfected Comfort making, laminated cotton that breathes, silkolene and sateen coverings.
1935 Daily Tel. (Sydney) 5 Mar. 9/1 We have now underwear, shirts, and shoes that ‘breathe’, because they are either punched or porous.
1992 Canad. Gardening May 53/2 Landscape fabric,..woven mesh material that deters weed growth but ‘breathes’ to allow water and nutrients to reach the soil.
2014 Age (Melbourne) (Nexis) 19 Sept. Suppl. 1 When selecting socks, Gersh suggests a cotton blend... ‘They breathe the best, so they're really good for sweating, fungals and bacteria.’
c. intransitive. Of wine: to be exposed to the air, typically by being decanted or allowed to stand in the open bottle for a period of time before serving.Wine, particularly red wine of certain styles, is given time to breathe in order to improve the flavour before drinking.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > wine > qualities or characteristics of wine > [verb (intransitive)] > breathe
breathe1950
1950 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 15 Dec. 8/2 It is a good idea to open the bottle about an hour before pouring. This is known as letting the wine ‘breathe’.
1987 B. Freemantle Charlie Muffin San xxx. 273 There was a bottle of Margaux on the table..and another opened and breathing on a sideboard.
2008 Charleston (W. Va.) Gaz. (Nexis) 22 June 12 f The process of decanting and letting these wines breathe for an hour or so can transform them from virtually tasteless and inert liquids into delicious beverages with pleasing aromas.
III. To speak, to produce sound, and related senses.† 11. transitive. To blow (a wind instrument, esp. a flute); to play. Obsolete.
9.
a. transitive. To give passionate or vehement expression to (something); to pronounce; to proclaim.See also to breathe out 3 at Phrasal verbs 1.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > passion > affect with passion or strong emotion [verb (transitive)] > express passionately
passionate1567
breathe1572
the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > say in a particular manner [verb (transitive)] > say passionately
rave1568
breathe1572
yearn1979
1572 J. Bridges tr. R. Gwalther Hundred, Threescore & Fiftene Homelyes vppon Actes Apostles iii. xxii. 166 They..that were the chiefe authors of this wyckednesse, and who he knewe as yet breathed [L. spirare] hatred against Christ.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. vi. sig. F4v Two knights..Both breathing vengeaunce.
1720 J. Ozell et al. tr. R. A. de Vertot Hist. Revol. Rom. Republic II. x. 228 Marius..breathed nothing but Blood and Slaughter.
1807 J. Barlow Columbiad iii. 94 The nations..Breathe deadly strife, and sigh for battle's blare.
1962 Observer 30 Dec. 7/2 Churchill breathing defiance to dictators and calling for more armaments.
2014 Hindustan Times (Nexis) 16 Aug. Raju breathes revenge when his best pal and comrade in crime, Chandru..is murdered.
b. transitive. To say (something), esp. in a quiet voice; to communicate; to make known. Also with direct speech as object.Now frequently in negative constructions with word as object, as in without breathing a word, she didn't breathe a word about it.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > action of informing > give (information) [verb (transitive)] > inform (a person) > quietly
breathe?1590
whisper1598
bewhisper1674
?1590 A. Munday tr. First Bk. Amadis of Gaule xiv. f. 72 Pittying the verie latest words he breathed.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. ii. 36 To this effect..We breath'd our Councell.
1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. iii. 203 Few men to whom he could breath his Conscience.
1847 R. W. Hamilton Revealed Doctr. Rewards & Punishm. viii. 472 No intimation of hope is breathed.
1864 T. S. Arthur Sowing Wind x. 106 ‘Who's after your life?’ ‘I'll tell you,’ he answered; ‘but you mustn't breathe it to a soul.’
1929 ‘E. Queen’ Roman Hat Mystery (1979) xvi. 239 ‘Yes,’ she breathed, her face chalky.
2009 N. Reding Methland xiv. 217 His mother..never breathed a word about Jamie.
c. transitive. To display, demonstrate, or exude (something); to show, exhibit; to convey.Originally with allusion to giving verbal expression to something, but later also showing the influence of other senses, esp. senses 2 and 3a.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > [verb (transitive)]
uppec897
atewOE
sutelec1000
openOE
awnc1175
kithec1175
forthteec1200
tawnec1220
let witc1275
forthshowa1300
to pilt out?a1300
showa1300
barea1325
mythc1330
unfoldc1374
to open outc1390
assign1398
mustera1400
reyve?a1400
vouchc1400
manifest?a1425
outshowc1425
ostendc1429
explayc1443
objecta1500
reveala1500
patefy?1509
decipher1529
relieve1533
to set outa1540
utter1542
report1548
unbuckle1548
to set forth1551
demonstrate1553
to hold forth1560
testify1560
explicate1565
forthsetc1565
to give show of1567
denudec1572
exhibit1573
apparent1577
display?1578
carry1580
cipher1583
laya1586
foreshow1590
uncloud?1594
vision1594
explain1597
proclaim1597
unroll1598
discloud1600
remonstrate1601
resent1602
to bring out1608
palesate1613
pronounce1615
to speak out1623
elicit1641
confess1646
bear1657
breathe1667
outplay1702
to throw out1741
evolve1744
announce1781
develop1806
exfoliate1808
evince1829
exposit1882
pack1925
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 554 Such as..in stead of rage Deliberate valour breath'd . View more context for this quotation
a1780 J. Harris Philol. Inq. (1781) iii. vi. 338 A custom breathing their liberal and noble disposition.
1846 T. Wright Ess. Middle Ages I. ii. 61 Passages which breathe the true spirit of poetry.
1863 A. P. Stanley Lect. Jewish Church I. xiii. 293 The whole period breathes a primitive simplicity.
1941 A. C. Bouquet Compar. Relig. ix. 174 Hymns and prayers which..breathe a high standard of theistic devotion.
2000 O. Sernhede in P. Gilroy et al. Without Guarantees xxvi. 307 Even if the book is not a literary delight , the text breathes authenticity and genuineness.
10. intransitive. Of a voice, music, etc.: to produce sound, esp. quietly; to sound or speak softly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > to sound (of voice or utterance) [verb (intransitive)] > utter sound
soundc1340
rear1591
breathe1602
phonate1878
vocalize1887
1602 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor iv. v. 2 Speake, breath, discuss.
1645 J. Milton Il Penseroso in Poems 43 As I wake, sweet musick breath.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey II. 31 Nor had the voice of friend or kinsman breathed through his lattice.
a1820 J. R. Drake Culprit Fay (1853) 38 When the vesper dew of heaven descends, Soft music breathes in many a melting tone.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Two Voices in Poems (new ed.) II. 145 A hint, a whisper breathing low.
1990 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 13 Oct. (Final ed.) 15/5 Flutes breathe in their huskiest registers.
2008 E. Hunter Dark River xiv. 213 A voice breathed in his ears, too soft to hear.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > playing wind instrument > play wind instrument [verb (transitive)]
blowc1000
blazec1384
blast1530
toot1614
breathe1718
tootle1890
1718 M. Prior Solomon on Vanity iii, in Poems Several Occasions (new ed.) 497 They breath the Flute, or strike the vocal Wire.
1761 I. Bickerstaff Judith iii. iv. 20 Breath the Pipe, the Timbrel sound, Strew the Olive, strew the Bays; In grateful Songs rejoice.
1828 E. Smedley Marriage in Cana 8 Breathe the soft flute, or sweep the Cinnor's string.
Phrases
P1. to breathe one's last (breath or gasp) and variants: to die, expire.
ΚΠ
1567 G. Turberville Epitaphes, Epigrams f. 19 When the spirite giues vp and bodie breathes his last.
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 ii. i. 108 Where your braue father breath'd his latest gaspe.
1651 Severall Proc. Parl. No. 82. 1247 The kingdome, languishing and ready to breath out her last.
1714 A. Pope Rape of Lock (new ed.) iii. 28 Not louder Shrieks by Dames to Heav'n are cast, When Husbands or when Monkeys breath their last.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xcvi. 146 Where he breathed his latest breath . View more context for this quotation
1993 Los Angeles Times (Nexis) 16 Sept. j1/2 Most Estonian homes have saunas—the warmest room in the house where children are often born and old people breathe their last gasp.
2004 I. M. Banks Algebraist (2005) iv. 251 The tipping point into revelation and deliverance for all might come..at the point that an unreformable heathen breathed their last.
P2. to breathe life into: to bring (a person or thing) to life; (figurative) to give inspiration or vigour to; to fill with enthusiasm and energy. Similarly to breathe new life into: to reanimate or reinvigorate (a person who or thing which has lost vitality, energy, etc.).
ΚΠ
1575 G. Fenton Golden Epist. f. 72 If money might..haue breathed life into Haniball, there would haue bene found no want in the Carthaginiens.
1602 J. Darrell Replie to Answer I. Deacon & I. Walker sig. A2 Our sinnes haue breathed new life into the dead carkesse of Antichrist.
1784 W. Godwin Ital. Lett. II. 143 [Remembrances] that..breathe new life into each forgotten endearment.
1854 T. Y. Rhoads Battle-fields Revol. 163 The brilliant termination of a campaign which had been considered..hopeless by the patriots, breathed new life into them.
1941 Spectator 10 Oct. 355/1 Miss Bette Davis..has proved her genius for breathing life into scenarios which have been synthesized from the more extravagant..of ancient theatrical situations.
2012 Daily Tel. 12 Mar. 19/1 A huge, glitzy show of force designed to breathe new life into his flagging re-election campaign.
P3. to breathe a vein: to incise a superficial vein in order to let blood; to perform venesection. Cf. breathing n. 8. Now historical.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > surgery > bloodletting > let blood [verb (intransitive)] > practise venesection
phlebotomize1598
to breathe a vein1641
1641 J. Short Soliloquies Theologicall 95 The Chirurgion breathe a veine, how glad wee'd be T'come under th'cure of such a skilfull hand.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa VII. lxvi. 230 They were forced to breathe a vein, to bring her to herself.
1836 F. Marryat Japhet I. iv. 41 Permitting me to breathe a vein in his own arm.
1996 R. Porter in Cambr. Illustr. Hist. Med. vi. 207 This was popularly called ‘breathing a vein’.
P4.
a. to breathe freely (also easy, easily) and variants: to feel at ease in a particular situation or environment. Also: to relax; to recover one's composure; to be freed from worry, anxiety, or tension.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > become composed or calm [verb (intransitive)]
saughtelc1400
breathe1485
pacify1509
settle1591
compose1663
to breathe freely (also easy, easily)1695
tranquillize1748
cool1836
simmer down1842
calm1877
relax1907
to cool it1952
to Zen out1968
mellow1974
to take a chill pill1981
chillax1994
the mind > emotion > pleasure > freedom from trouble, care, or sorrow > be free from trouble, care, or sorrow [verb (intransitive)]
resta1382
rest1561
to breathe freely (also easy, easily)1695
to take settle1889
chill1979
1695 Ld. Preston tr. Boethius Of Consol. Philos. i. 10 Thus the Clouds of Sadness being dispers'd, I began to breathe more freely.
1707 tr. M. Alemán Life Guzman d'Alfarache II. 68 He now breath'd freely, and was his own Man again.
1839 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) I. 333 War was the element in which the Spartan seems to have breathed most freely.
1840 Boston Morning Post 8 July Such an atmosphere of democracy, as encircled the pavilion, was never before witnessed in old Norfolk. It made all present breathe easy.
1913 tr. E. Gaboriau Champdoce Myst. xviii. 205 Norbert breathed freely once more, for he felt his secret was safe.
1969 Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) 12 Jan. (Tuesday Mag.) 19/1 New Orleans is..the sort of place..where you can forget about being ‘up tight’ and just sort of breathe easy.
2018 Guardian (Nexis) 4 Dec. (Music section) 3 My absolute maximum number of concerts is 55 a year... For me, a day without a concert means I can breathe freely.
b. to breathe a sigh of relief: to exhale in relief, esp. as a result of a release of tension; (also figuratively) to experience a sense of release from anxiety, distress, etc.
ΚΠ
1847 E. M. Sewell Margaret Percival I. i. 1 She breathed a sigh of relief at the thought of having escaped for the present from the mysteries of the ‘Rule of Three’.
1926 Oneonta (N.Y.) Daily Star 18 June 5/2 The pupils of the High school can breathe a sigh of relief when today is done, because it is the last day of the Regents' examinations.
2013 A. Greenway Bird Skinner vii. 236 The others must be breathing a sigh of relief too, to be rid of him.
P5. to live and breathe, as I live and breathe, to live and breathe (something): see live v.1 Phrases 4.
Phrasal verbs
PV1. With adverbs in specialized senses. to breathe in to breathe out
1. intransitive. To inhale; to draw air into the lungs by inhalation.In quot. 1543 the transitivity of the verb is ambiguous.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > inhalation > inhale [verb (intransitive)]
to breathe in1543
inhalate1623
inspire1767
1543 B. Traheron Interpr. Straunge Wordes in tr. J. de Vigo Most Excellent Wks. Chirurg. sig. &&v/1 Inspiration is whan a man breatheth in, or draweth in hys wynde.
1595 Problemes of Aristotle sig. K4v It is most euident that we doe breathe in and out by the arteries.
1770 G. von Engeström in G. von Engeström & E. M. da Costa tr. A. F. Cronstedt Ess. Syst. Mineral. 184 The more experienced can breathe in, through the nose, and yet at the same time blow through the pipe, whereby a constant flame from the candle is kept up.
1855 W. Hooker First Bk. in Physiol. 56 When we breathe in,..the air rushes into the lungs.
1988 P. A. Jacob & R. E. Margroff Serpent's Silver xv. 155 He breathed in, savoring the delightful green smells of spring.
2011 D. Moody Autumn: City x. 73 Bernard tried breathing in deeply to calm his nerves.
2.
a. transitive. To inhale (air, airborne matter, etc.); to draw into the lungs by inhalation; to draw (a fragrance) into the nostrils.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > inhalation > inhale [verb (transitive)]
to suck inc1220
drawa1300
inbreathea1382
to draw ina1398
to take in1495
inhaust1547
fetch1552
fet1556
imbreathe1574
to breathe in1576
attract1582
suck?1614
inspirate1615
imbibe1621
inspire1666
redistend1684
inhale1725
embreathe1867
indraw1883
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > inhalation > inhale [verb (transitive)] > through nose
snuvec1200
snuff1527
snuff1547
to breathe in1576
snuffle1599
whiff1635
snivel1668
sniff1796
1576 T. Hill Moste Pleasaunte Arte Interpretacion of Dreames (new ed.) sig. Cviiv From these [sc. watery places] are vapours..caused, which breathed in or drawen in wyth the breath.., sleepe enseweth.
1709 J. Lawson New Voy. Carolina 188 Their Breaths are as sweet as the Air they breathe in.
1858 Atlantic Monthly June 60/2 I rested my head against the chair, and breathed in the odor of the flowers.
1907 Country Life 5 Jan. p. xliii (advt.) A man in London is supposed to breathe in something like 200,000 germs every day.
2004 J. Mansell One you really Want xvii. 93 Why be stuck inside a stuffy old house when you could be outside breathing in great lungfuls of real, un-centrally heated fresh air?
b. transitive. figurative. To take in or experience (something), esp. thoroughly or with deep appreciation. Often in to breathe it all in.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > earnest attention, concentration > fix the attention, concentrate [verb (transitive)] > absorb
swallow1513
to swallow up1594
to suck up1602
immerge1611
immerse1790
to breathe in1816
1816 Ld. Byron Monody Death Sheridan 9 The Envious who but breathe in others' pain.
1889 Los Angeles Times 25 Dec. (Pasadena ed.) 7/2 We ride along, breathing it all in.
1994 Toronto Star (Nexis) 27 Nov. b1 Sense your body. Be aware. Breathe in your surroundings.
2015 A. Potter Love from Paris xii. 111 Turning a corner in Paris..is like unwrapping a gift. Round each one is something new to be discovered and I breathe it all in.
1.
a. transitive. to breathe out one's life (also soul, spirit, etc.): to die, expire. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > [verb (transitive)]
fetcha1200
to breathe out one's lifea1382
passc1540
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Lament. ii. 12 Whan thei shulde brethen out ther soulis [L. exhalarent animas suas] in the bosum of ther modris.
a1593 C. Marlowe Massacre at Paris (c1600) sig. C7 Breath out that life wherein my death was hid.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 331 And striuing with the pangs of death halfe a day, he then breathed out his gastly ghost.
1798 J. Smith Life St. Columba 131 He immediately breathed out his spirit; but still retained the tranquil smile, the brightness and the fresh look of his countenance.
1822 S. Rogers Italy: Pt. 1st i. 10 That dungeon-fortress..Where..Toussaint breathed out his brave and generous spirit.
1944 Bronxville (N.Y.) Review-Press 27 Apr. 4/2 It is no small matter that a man is called from the bosom of his family..perhaps to breathe out his life on some foreign soil.
b. transitive. To exhale (air, smoke, etc.); to expel from the lungs by exhalation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > exhalation > exhale [verb (transitive)]
fnastc1400
to breathe out1556
outbreathe1563
aspire1575
exhale1589
expire1590
expirate1615
spirate1649
spire1649
1556 T. Hill tr. B. Cocles Brief Epitomye Phisiognomie sig. C.vv Because the voyce heauye, procedeth of the debylitie of the vertue, which can not breathe oute plentifulnes of aire to moue the muscles of the breaste.
1650 T. Venner Via Recta (rev. ed.) i. 7 Supposing that all the aire breathed in is not again expirated, or breathed out, but some of it remaine.
1791 Analyt. Rev. Dec. 376 The person who was smoking drew in some hearty whiffs, then..he breathed out volumes of smoke.
1855 W. Hooker First Bk. in Physiol. (1869) v. 68 They..used up the air, and the carbonic acid gas which they breathed out from their lungs, took its place in the cabin.
2000 Providence (Rhode Island) Jrnl.-Bull. (Nexis) 5 Feb. Every warm-blooded creature breathes out air that is warmer than the winter atmosphere.
c. intransitive. To exhale; to expel air from the lungs by exhalation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > exhalation > exhale [verb (intransitive)]
breathea1382
spirea1382
blazec1384
inspire1513
tuff?1553
to breathe out1576
huff1582
expire1633
outbreathe1638
aspirec1750
exhale1863
1576 L. Tomson tr. P. de la Place Treat. Excellencie of Christian Man sig. C.vv We al feele the motion of the ayre, wherby we both drawe in our breath, and breathe out.
1764 New & Compl. Dict. Arts & Sci. (ed. 2) IV. 3336/2 When..the person breathes out through the middle fosset, the valve I N closes the hole L.
1826 Edinb. Jrnl. Sci. 4 248 Now breathe out through the mouth as much as you can, still holding the nose.
1963 R. Stow Tourmaline (1991) viii. 110 ‘Hell, you scared me,’ he said at length, lying back again and breathing out heavily through his nostrils.
2006 M. O'Farrell Vanishing Act Esme Lennox 90 She breathes in and she breathes out and she listens to the shushing noise of it.
2. transitive. To give off or emit (steam, vapour, a smell, etc.). Formerly also intransitive: †(of steam, vapour, etc.) to be produced or emitted (obsolete).
ΚΠ
?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 10v (MED) [Bones of the skull] be conioyned wiþ seratile comissure, þat vapours may breþe out [L. expirare] fro þe selfe brayn.
1559 P. Morwyng tr. C. Gesner Treasure of Euonymus 198 Heet them..in a vessel diligently couered, that nothyng breeth out by any meanes.
1579 J. Ludham tr. A. Hyperius Course of Christianitie Ep. Ded. sig. *iijv The earth oftetimes trembling and quaking, not seldome times breathing out pestilent vapours and exhalations.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica iv. vii. 196 In carcasses warme, and bodies newly disanimated..there doe exhale and breathe out vaporous and fluid parts.
1865 S. W. Lander Spectacles for Young Eyes: Rome (1866) vii. 104 A mingling of sea and volcano, which is a strange combination; and ought to breathe out poisonous gas and steam.
1874 ‘Ouida’ Bébée iv. 52 The great gillyflowers breathed out fragrance in the dusk.
2011 C. Ryan Trad. Constr. for Sustainable Future v. 248 An existing traditional building whose walls are not only capable of acting as a thermal store but also of breathing out noxious gases.
3. transitive. To give passionate or vehement expression to (something); to pronounce; to proclaim. Also more generally: to say or communicate (something).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > announcing or proclaiming > announce or proclaim [verb (transitive)]
kithec725
i-bedea800
abedeeOE
bid971
deemOE
bodea1000
tellOE
clepec1275
to tell outa1382
denouncec1384
publishc1384
descryc1390
pronouncec1390
proclaima1393
sound1412
proclaim?a1425
renouncea1425
announcec1429
preconize?1440
announce1483
reclaim?1503
call1523
to speak forth1526
annunciate1533
protest1533
to breathe out1535
denouncec1540
enact1611
deblazon1621
deblaze1640
advise1647
apostolize1652
indigitatea1670
enounce1807
voice1850
norate1851
enunciate1864
post1961
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Acts ix. A Saul was yet breathinge out threatnynges and slaughter agaynst the disciples of the Lorde.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Duc Both..now and then breath out horrible shrikes.
1648 W. Jenkyn Ὁδηγος Τυϕλος i. 3 He breathes out reproaches.
1746 J. Hervey Medit. among Tombs 10 It was his last Wish..He breathed it out, and gave up the Ghost.
a1865 E. C. Gaskell Wives & Daughters (1866) I. xxi. 237 Every inflexion of the voice breathed out..admiration!
1906 Evening News 20 July 2/5 ‘That's not quite true, Jack,’ she breathed out rapidly.
2004 New Yorker 1 Mar. 46/1 One more of the unbound journalists who hammered home their complaints and objurgations, breathing out vitriol.
PV2. With prepositions in specialized senses. to breathe after —— to breathe through —— to breathe upon —— (also to breathe on ——)
intransitive. To aspire to (something); to long for (something). Now archaic and rare.Cf. sense 6, breathing n. 7.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > aspiration or ambition > aspire to or to do [verb (transitive)]
pursuea1382
affect?a1425
anhelea1500
to hawk after (for)?1510
affectate1560
to breathe after ——a1593
emule1595
aspire1596
emulate1597
to fawn upon1634
a1593 H. Smith 4 Serm. sig. F.3v in 12 Serm. (1598) Let vs breathe after the fountaine of liuing water.
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 428 We see the Turkes..breathing after our destruction.
1721 Stewart's Napthali (new ed.) To Rdr. sig. ¶¶3v Her Watch-men (who were neither professedly driving on, nor secretly Breathing after Prelacy).
1836 E. B. Elliott Serm. Doctrinal & Pract. xxiv. 433 They feel a child's spirit breathing after God. The cry from within their hearts is, ‘Abba! Father!’
1911 Union Seminary Mag. Feb.–Mar. 186 The more your heart breathes after God.., displays grace and likeness to God, and love for God, the more value God puts upon it.
intransitive. To inform or permeate (something).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > carry on vigorously [verb (transitive)] > make lively > specifically a thing
animate1585
spirit1600
to breathe through ——1606
exagitate1621
ferment1667
vitalize1805
1606 H. Broughton Two Epist. Great Men Britanie Ep. Ded. sig. Aijv Here great matter of infinite vse might be handled, for both testaments, their tongues & copie,..and theyr story pithily compact, with Christianity breathing through all.
1756 Gentleman's Mag. Feb. 82/2 We find this ancestrian enthusiasm breathing through all their noblesse.
1865 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. viii. 262 Certain governing ideas of Spinoza..which breathe through all his works.
1927 H. S. Buck Smollett as Poet 30 There breathes through The Tears of Scotland that ‘wrathiness’ of spirit so characteristic of Smollett.
2011 Irish Times (Nexis) 16 July (Weekend section) 11 The influence of the great German original WG Sebald breathes through the book.
intransitive. To tarnish or sully (a person's name, reputation, etc.). Now rare.Cf. to blow upon at blow v.1 30.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > sullying or staining of reputation > stain or sully [verb (transitive)]
filea1325
foulc1330
tache1390
dark?c1400
distain1406
smita1413
blemish1414
black?c1425
defoul1470
maculate?a1475
macule1484
tan1530
staina1535
spota1542
smear1549
blot1566
besmear1579
defile1581
attaint1590
soila1596
slubber1599
tack1601
woad1603
besmirch1604
blur1604
to breathe upon ——1608
be-smut1610
clouda1616
sullya1616
taint1623
smutch1640
blackena1649
to cast, put, throw (etc.) a slur on or upon (a person or thing)1654
beslur1675
tarnish1695
blackwash1762
carbonify1792
smirch1820
tattoo1884
dirten1987
1608 T. Middleton Your Fiue Gallants sig. D4v Tis but Angels a peece, it shall be a brace of mine, rather then I would haue our reputations breathed vpon by all commers.
1783 G. Hardinge Def. Sir Thomas Rumbold 2 It's for his advantage that every thing which can breathe upon his character may be adduced, and explored.
1821 Ld. Byron Marino Faliero (2nd issue) v. i. 149 When the proud name on which they pinnacled Their hopes is breathed on.
1972 G. E. Fussell Classical Trad. West European Farming v. 120 His reputation was breathed upon in his lifetime, but he has recently found two protagonists, and older opinion must therefore be somewhat revised.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2020; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
v.c1300