| 释义 |
breathe
I. \ˈbrēth\ verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Middle English brethen, from breth, breeth breath
intransitive verb
1.
a. obsolete : to emanate into the air as or as if vapor or steam
b. obsolete : to send out an odor or fragrance : smell
c. : to become perceptible : be emanated or suggested : be expressed
< the spirit of the age as it breathes from our novelists — Times Literary Supplement >
< a fond complacency breathed from both girls — Anne D. Sedgwick >
2.
a.
(1) : to draw air into and expel it out of the lungs : inhale and exhale : respire
(2) : to take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide through natural processes that resemble or are analogous to breathing
< plants breathing at night >
< a fish cannot breathe out of water >
b. : to inhale and exhale freely without sense or feeling of constriction
< an atmosphere of intellectual freedom in which he could breathe — Francis Biddle >
c. : to inhale and exhale audibly
< the doctor listened to his breathing >
3.
a. : to continue in existence : live
b. : to continue to have vital force or effect
4. : to pause and rest (as after strenuous activity)
5. : to make utterance
< in making that plea he will breathe in vain >
: to be uttered
< a whisper breathing low >
6. : to blow softly
< a light wind breathing >
7. : to draw in and give out air, gas, or vapor (as of a fuel tank) : pass air in and out (as of a cushion) or through (as of leather or other membrane)
8. of an internal-combustion engine : to use air to support combustion
transitive verb
1.
a. : exhale : send out by exhaling : emit as if in breathing out — often used with out
< breathing out his soul >
b. : to instill by breathing in : infuse as if by breathing : communicate by breath — often used with in or into
< breathing new life into the movement >
2. : utter, express: as
a. : to utter vehemently : cry out
< breathing threats about revenge >
b. : to utter softly, quietly, or confidentially : whisper
< breathing his advice softly >
< don't breathe a word of what he said >
c. : to make manifest : evince, show
< breathing the true spirit of his religion >
3. : to let breathe : give a period of rest from exertion or security from danger to
< breathing their horses after the hard ride >
< a chance for the messenger to breathe himself >
4.
a. : to exercise briskly
< a chase across the fields to breathe the dogs >
b. : to exercise vigorously and deprive of breath : wind, exhaust
5.
a. : to draw into and usually press out of the lungs : inhale and exhale
< breathing fresh air >
< breathing noxious gases >
b. : to pull in and consume (oxygen) in operation — used especially of an engine
•
- breathe a vein
- breathe down one's neck
- breathe easily
- breathe one's last
II. intransitive verb
of wine : to develop flavor and bouquet by exposure to air |