breath
(redirected from breaths)Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Idioms, Encyclopedia.
breath
respiration; a stirring of air: a breath of spring
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
breath
(brĕth)n.
Idioms: 1.
a. The act or process of breathing; respiration: swam down to the reef, holding his breath.
b. A single act of breathing: Take a deep breath.
2.
a. The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration: as long as there is breath in my lungs.
b. Air that is exhaled, as evidenced by vapor or odor: It's so cold you can see your breath.
3. The capacity to breathe, especially in a natural and unlabored manner: suffering from shortness of breath.
4. Spirit or vitality: colors that lend breath to his paintings.
5. A momentary pause or rest: If I could have a breath before I go on.
6. A momentary stirring of air: Not a breath of air stirred the leaves.
7. A softly spoken sound; a whisper: There was hardly a breath of protest.
8. Linguistics Exhalation of air without vibration of the vocal cords, as in the articulation of p and s.
in one/the same breath
At or almost at the same time.
out of breath
Breathing with difficulty, as from exertion; gasping.
under (one's) breath
In a muted voice or whisper.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
breath
(brɛθ)n
1. (Physiology) the intake and expulsion of air during respiration
2. (Physiology) the air inhaled or exhaled during respiration
3. (Physiology) a single respiration or inhalation of air, etc
4. the vapour, heat, or odour of exhaled air: his breath on the window melted the frost.
5. a slight gust of air
6. a short pause or rest: take a breath for five minutes.
7. a brief time: it was done in a breath.
8. a suggestion or slight evidence; suspicion: a breath of scandal.
9. a whisper or soft sound
10. life, energy, or vitality: the breath of new industry.
11. (Phonetics & Phonology) phonetics the passage of air through the completely open glottis without vibration of the vocal cords, as in exhaling or pronouncing fricatives such as (f) or (h) or stops such as (p) or (k). Compare voice12
12. a breath of fresh air a refreshing change from what one is used to
13. catch one's breath to rest until breathing is normal, esp after exertion
14. hold one's breath to wait expectantly or anxiously
15. in the same breath done or said at the same time
16. out of breath gasping for air after exertion
17. save one's breath to refrain from useless talk
18. take one's breath away to overwhelm with surprise, etc
19. under one's breath below one's breath in a quiet voice or whisper
[Old English brǣth; related to brǣdan to burn, Old High German brādam heat, breath]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
breath
(brɛθ)n.
1. the air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.
2. respiration, esp. as necessary to life.
3. life; vitality.
4. the ability to breathe easily and normally: I stopped to regain my breath.
5. time to breathe; pause or respite.
6. a single inhalation or respiration: Take a deep breath.
7. the time required for a single respiration; moment.
8. a slight suggestion or hint: not touched by the breath of slander.
9. a light current of air.
10. the audible expiration of air from the lungs generating voiceless speech sounds, as (p), (k), or (sh).
11. moisture emitted in respiration, esp. when condensed and visible.
12. an odorous exhalation, or the air impregnated by it.
Idioms: 1. below or under one's breath, in a low voice or whisper.
2. catch one's breath, to pause so as to rest.
3. in the same breath, almost simultaneously.
4. out of breath, breathless from exertion.
[before 900; Middle English breth, breeth, Old English brǣth smell, exhalation; probably akin to breed]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
breath
- From an Old English word meaning "scent, smell."See also related terms for scent.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
breathe
– breath1. 'breathe'
Breathe /briːð/ is a verb. When people or animals breathe, they take air into their lungs and let it out again.
It was difficult for him to breathe.
Always breathe through your nose.
2. 'breath'
Breath /breθ/ is a noun. Your breath is the air that you take into your lungs and let out again when you breathe.
She took a deep breath, then started to explain.
I could smell the coffee on his breath.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  breath - the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing; "he took a deep breath and dived into the pool"; "he was fighting to his last breath"breathing in, inhalation, intake, aspiration, inspiration - the act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing bodily function, bodily process, body process, activity - an organic process that takes place in the body; "respiratory activity" |
| 2. | breath - the air that is inhaled and exhaled in respiration; "his sour breath offended her" air - a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of; "air pollution"; "a smell of chemicals in the air"; "open a window and let in some air"; "I need some fresh air" exhalation, halitus - exhaled breath | |
| 3. |  breath - a short respite rest period, rest, respite, relief - a pause for relaxation; "people actually accomplish more when they take time for short rests" | |
| 4. | breath - an indirect suggestion; "not a breath of scandal ever touched her" proffer, proposition, suggestion - a proposal offered for acceptance or rejection; "it was a suggestion we couldn't refuse" | |
| 5. | breath - a slight movement of the air; "there wasn't a breath of air in the room" breeze, gentle wind, zephyr, air - a slight wind (usually refreshing); "the breeze was cooled by the lake"; "as he waited he could feel the air on his neck" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
breath
noun
2. inhalation, breathing, pant, gasp, gulp, wheeze, exhalation, respiration He took a deep breath and began to climb the stairs.
3. gust, sigh, puff, flutter, flurry, whiff, draught, waft, zephyr, slight movement, faint breeze Not even a breath of wind stirred the pine branches.
4. trace, suggestion, hint, whisper, suspicion, murmur, undertone, intimation It was left to her to add a breath of common sense.
take your breath away amaze, surprise, stun, astonish, stagger, startle, astound, bowl over, sweep you off your feet, dumbfound I heard this song on the radio and it just took my breath away.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
breath
noun1. The vital principle or animating force within living beings:
2. The act or process of breathing:
3. Air breathed out, evidenced by vapor, odor, or heat:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
breath
[breθ]A. N
1. (lit) (= respiration) → aliento m
you could smell the whisky on his breath → estaba claro que el aliento le olía a whisky
without pausing for breath → sin detenerse ni un momento para recobrar el aliento or la respiración
to have bad breath → tener mal aliento
he stopped running to catch his breath → dejó de correr para recobrar el aliento or la respiración
the pain made her catch her breath → el dolor hizo que se le cortara la respiración
to draw breath (lit) → respirar (liter) (= exist) he was one of the meanest people who ever drew breath → era una de las personas más mezquinas que jamás ha visto este mundo
to draw one's first breath (liter) → venir al mundo
to draw one's last breath (liter) → exhalar el último suspiro (liter)
to get one's breath back → recobrar el aliento or la respiración
to hold one's breath (lit) → contener la respiración (fig) the whole world is holding its breath → el mundo entero está en vilo
"he said he would be here" - "well, I wouldn't hold your breath" → -dijo que vendría -sí, pues yo le esperaría sentado
to lose one's breath → perder el aliento
to be/get out of breath → estar/quedar sin aliento
in the same or next breath → acto seguido
she felt hot and short of breath → tenía calor y se ahogaba
he was short of breath after the climb → estaba sin aliento después de la escalada
she has asthma and sometimes gets short of breath → tiene asma y a veces se ahoga or le falta el aliento
she sucked in her breath → tomó aliento, aspiró
to take a breath → respirar
he took a deep breath → respiró hondo
to take one's breath away → dejar a uno sin habla
he muttered something under his breath → dijo algo entre dientes or en voz baja
to waste one's breath → gastar saliva (en balde)
see also bated, save A4
you could smell the whisky on his breath → estaba claro que el aliento le olía a whisky
without pausing for breath → sin detenerse ni un momento para recobrar el aliento or la respiración
to have bad breath → tener mal aliento
he stopped running to catch his breath → dejó de correr para recobrar el aliento or la respiración
the pain made her catch her breath → el dolor hizo que se le cortara la respiración
to draw breath (lit) → respirar (liter) (= exist) he was one of the meanest people who ever drew breath → era una de las personas más mezquinas que jamás ha visto este mundo
to draw one's first breath (liter) → venir al mundo
to draw one's last breath (liter) → exhalar el último suspiro (liter)
to get one's breath back → recobrar el aliento or la respiración
to hold one's breath (lit) → contener la respiración (fig) the whole world is holding its breath → el mundo entero está en vilo
"he said he would be here" - "well, I wouldn't hold your breath" → -dijo que vendría -sí, pues yo le esperaría sentado
to lose one's breath → perder el aliento
to be/get out of breath → estar/quedar sin aliento
in the same or next breath → acto seguido
she felt hot and short of breath → tenía calor y se ahogaba
he was short of breath after the climb → estaba sin aliento después de la escalada
she has asthma and sometimes gets short of breath → tiene asma y a veces se ahoga or le falta el aliento
she sucked in her breath → tomó aliento, aspiró
to take a breath → respirar
he took a deep breath → respiró hondo
to take one's breath away → dejar a uno sin habla
he muttered something under his breath → dijo algo entre dientes or en voz baja
to waste one's breath → gastar saliva (en balde)
see also bated, save A4
2. (fig) (= puff) → soplo m
there wasn't a breath of wind → no corría ni un soplo de viento
we must avoid the slightest breath of scandal → debemos evitar el más mínimo soplo de escándalo
a breath of fresh air we went out for a breath of fresh air → salimos a tomar el (aire) fresco
she's like a breath of fresh air → es como un soplo de aire fresco
there wasn't a breath of wind → no corría ni un soplo de viento
we must avoid the slightest breath of scandal → debemos evitar el más mínimo soplo de escándalo
a breath of fresh air we went out for a breath of fresh air → salimos a tomar el (aire) fresco
she's like a breath of fresh air → es como un soplo de aire fresco
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
breath
(breθ) noun1. the air drawn into, and then sent out from, the lungs. My dog's breath smells terrible.aliento, respiración
2. an act of breathing. Take a deep breath.respiración
ˈbreathless adjective having difficulty in breathing normally. His asthma makes him breathless; He was breathless after climbing the hill.sin aliento, sofocado
ˈbreathlessly adverbˈbreathlessness nounsofoco, falta de aliento, dificultad respiratoria
hold one's breath to stop breathing (often because of anxiety or to avoid being heard). He held his breath as he watched the daring acrobat.contener la respiración
out of breath breathless (through running etc). I'm out of breath after climbing all these stairs.sofocado, sin aliento
under one's breath in a whisper. He swore under his breath. a media voz, en voz baja, en un susurro
breath is a noun: He held his breath .
breathe is a verb: He found it difficult to breathe .
breathe is a verb: He found it difficult to breathe .
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
breath
→ alientoMultilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
breath
n. respiración, aliento, soplo; pop. resuello;
___ sounds → ruidos respiratorios;
coarse ___ → ___ gruesa;
short of ___ → corto de ___, falto de aliento;
out of ___ → falto de ___, sin aliento;
v.
to be out of ___ → faltar la ___, estar sofacado-a;
to gasp for ___ → jadear;
to take a deep ___ → respirar profundamente;
to hold one's ___ → sostener, aguantar la ___;
___ test → prueba de aliento.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
breath
n aliento, respiración f; bad — mal aliento; — test prueba del aliento; short of — sin aire or aliento; shortness of — falta de aire or aliento, dificultad f para respirar, ahogo; to be short of — faltar(le) (a uno) el aire or aliento; Do you get short of breath when you walk?..¿Le falta el aire (aliento) cuando camina?…How many blocks can you walk before you get short of breath?..¿Cuántas cuadras puede caminar antes de que le falte el aire (aliento)?; to hold one’s — contener or aguantar la respiración; Hold your breath..Contenga (Aguante) la respiración; to take a deep — respirar profundo or hondo; Take a deep breath..Respire profundo (hondo).English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.