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单词 breath
释义

breathn.

Brit. /brɛθ/, U.S. /brɛθ/
Forms: Old English bræd (probably transmission error), Old English bræþ, Old English bræð, Old English bręð, Old English–early Middle English breð, Old English (rare)–Middle English breþ, early Middle English breað, early Middle English bred, early Middle English bret, Middle English braþe, Middle English breeþ, Middle English breith, Middle English brethþ, Middle English breþe, Middle English–1600s breeth, Middle English–1600s breth, Middle English–1600s brethe, 1500s–1600s (1900s– English regional (Sussex)) breathe, 1500s– breath; Scottish pre-1700 braitht, pre-1700 brath, pre-1700 brathe, pre-1700 breth, pre-1700 brethe, pre-1700 breyth, pre-1700 1700s– breath, pre-1700 1800s– braith, pre-1700 1900s– breith, 1900s– braeth (Shetland), 2000s– braithe, 2000s– brith.
Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.
Etymology: < the same Germanic base as Old Icelandic bráðr sudden, hasty, rash, hot-tempered, Old Swedish braþer (Swedish bråd ), Danish brad , both in a similar range of senses (compare brath adj.), and also (with suffixation: compare ethem n.) Middle Low German brādem , brātme haze, vapour, Old High German brādam vapour, fume, haze, exhalation, radiated heat (Middle High German brādem , German Brodem , Broden ), all < the same Germanic base as brede v.1The modern standard pronunciation reflects shortening of the stem vowel in Middle English or early modern English, while the spelling with ea reflects the former long vowel. For variation between a long vowel and a short vowel in the early modern period see E. J. Dobson Eng. Pronunc. 1500–1700 (ed. 2, 1968) II. §30. In sense 6c after classical Latin aura in sense ‘favour of fortune’ (see aura n.); compare aura populāris popular favour. With the use in phonetics (see sense 8, Compounds 1d, and breath consonant n. at Compounds 2) compare breathing n. 9 and discussion at that entry.
†1. An odour, a smell. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > [noun]
smacka1000
breathOE
smella1175
irea1300
weffea1300
thefa1325
relesec1330
odour?c1335
incensea1340
flair1340
savoura1350
smellingc1386
flavourc1400
fumec1400
reflairc1400
air?a1439
scent?1473
taste?c1475
verdure1520
senteur1601
waft1611
effluvium1656
fluor1671
burning scent1681
aura1732
fumet1735
snuff1763
olfacient1822
odouret1825
waff1827
gush1841
sniff1844
tang1858
nose1894
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > [noun] > breath
ghosteOE
bleadc890
ethemeOE
windOE
fnastc1000
breathOE
blas?c1225
blasta1325
andec1330
respiration?a1425
breast1535
air1567
respirea1657
puff1827
OE Ælfric Lives of Saints (Julius) (1881) I. 102 Se stenc wearð awend to wynsumum bræðe, and eall se unwynsumnyss him wearð to blysse.
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 153 (MED) Hwenne þe nose bið open to smelle unlofne breð.
a1425 (a1400) Prick of Conscience (Galba & Harl.) (1863) l. 613 He may se fra his body com..Alkyn filthe with stynkand brethe.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 135 Bawme þat was bright & of brethe noble.
2.
a. Vapour, steam, or smoke. Now somewhat rare (chiefly poetic in later use).In later use influenced by sense 3a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > gas > [noun] > fumes or vapour > types of fume or vapour > fumes from heated or burnt substance
breathOE
steamc1000
OE Lacnunga (2001) I. lxxviii. 68 Læt niman ænne greatne cwurnstan & hætan hine & lecgan hine under þone man, & niman wælwyrt..& lecgan uppan þone stan & onunder; & do þærto ceald wæter, & læt reocan þone bræð upon þone man.
c1300 St. Michael (Harl.) in T. Wright Pop. Treat. Sci. (1841) 136 Both of the see and of fersch water he draweth up the breth.
a1425 (a1400) Prick of Conscience (Galba & Harl.) (1863) l. 4727 Blode and fire and brethe of smoke.
1561 J. Hollybush tr. H. Brunschwig Most Excellent Homish Apothecarye f. 3 Holde thy nose ouer it, that the vapor or hote breth ascende so into thy head.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 806 Like gentle breaths from Rivers pure. View more context for this quotation
1864 Sharpe's London Mag. 2 46/1 The fire blazing cheerfully, the kettle pouring forth its thin stream of steamy breath.
1914 Survey 25 July 440/1 The crawling, Heavy breath of the chimneys brown and murky.
2003 A. Proulx Close Range (new ed.) 237 He looked at the moist breath of the coffee rising above the cup.
b. The air perceived as emanating from an object, place, etc., and carrying its characteristic odour or scent. Cf. air n.1 1b. Chiefly poetic in later use.Later evidence is usually influenced by sense 3a.
ΚΠ
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) xlvi. 270 Because, the Breath of Flowers, is farre Sweeter in the Aire..then in the hand.
1765 C. Talbot Lett. Mrs. E. Carter & Miss C. Talbot (1808) II. 21 Here [there is] a gale of spicy pinks, here the breath of lillies.
1874 J. S. Blackie On Self-culture 43 What a student should specially see to..is not to carry the breath of books with him wherever he goes.
1921 W. D. Steele in B. Williams O. Henry Prize Stories of 1921 (1922) 279 The breath of the bazaar, fetor of offal..chypre and amber and musk, clogged his senses.
2007 A. Dilke Perfect Revenge vi. 58 He was..on his way out into the full hot brightness of midday—half of him warmed by the sun, half still chilled by the lingering breath of old stone.
c. figurative. A trace or hint of something which seems to emanate from or accompany a person or thing. Cf. sense 6d.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > [noun] > an indication or sign > slight
sparklec1380
odourc1384
smell?a1505
savour?1531
casta1556
obumbrationa1631
smite1640
subindication1655
smattering1764
whiff1872
breath1873
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule xxv. 429 The remote islands, where a stranger brought..a breath of the outer world with him.
1936 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald 24 Sept. 45/5 (advt.) Nowhere else in these parts will you find a touch of the Continent, a breath of New York night life and the English countryside all rolled into one.
1989 C. Harman S. Townsend Warner: Biogr. iv. 197 She brought a breath of Europe with her, and they snuffed it like exiles.
2006 Lancs. Life Feb. 75/2 A breath of Old England on an historic family estate in Little Crosby is a powerful magnet for visitors.
3.
a. The air exhaled from the lungs, esp. when discernible by smell, or by being visible in cold weather. Also with preceding modifying word specifying something which makes the breath smell, as in beer breath, coffee breath, etc.See also bad breath n., garlic-breath n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > [noun] > breath > as visible exhalation or made manifest by smell
breath?c1225
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 83 Of uuele þinges stenh..oðer strong breað iþe nase.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 3573 Teeþ to rote, breeþ [Vesp. aand, Fairf. ande, Gött. and] to stynke.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Pardoner's Tale (Hengwrt) (1872) l. 552 Sour is thy breeth.
a1450 York Plays (1885) 116 (MED) To halde hym warme þei are full fayne, with þare warme breth.
1606 N. Breton Choice, Chance, & Change sig. C4 With such a garlicke breath, as would haue poisoned a dog.
a1721 Ld. Buckingham Wks. (1740) I. 62 Teeth so bright, and Breath so sweet.
1887 H. R. Haggard Jess viii. 70 Her breath rested for a second on his cheek like the ghost of a kiss.
1989 San Diego Union-Tribune (Nexis) 7 July (Lifestyle section) e1 Pot-bellied men with Hawaiian shirts, sunglasses and beer breath.
2018 University Wire (Nexis) 6 Dec. 1 They put us in a room that was so cold that we could see our breath.
b. figurative (literary or poetic). Something insubstantial or impermanent; a fleeting or transient moment. Also: a very small margin, a very short distance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > substantiality or concreteness > unsubstantiality or abstractness > [noun] > unsubstantiality or lack of substance > something lacking substance
breathc1275
winda1382
vapour1382
cloudc1384
gossamer?a1400
webc1400
comedown1583
bubble1598
anatomy1605
carcass1612
intentional1658
blank1678
ethereality1819
breath bubble1835
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > swift movement of time > [noun] > transience > transient thing or being
shadowa1272
breathc1275
cloudc1384
cherry-fair1393
transitorya1500
fume1531
forwhilea1557
flitter1623
ephemeran1643
daysman1658
transient1660
fugitive1683
transiency1728
ephemera1751
ephemeron1771
perishable1822
toadstool1823
evanescence1830
a sometime thing1935
c1275 (?c1250) Owl & Nightingale (Calig.) (1935) l. 1461 Luue is mine songes iliche, For hit nis bute a lutel breþ Þat sone kumeþ & sone geþ.
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. C2 A dreame, a breath, a froth of fleeting ioy. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iii. i. 8 A breath thou art, Seruile to all the skyie-influences. View more context for this quotation
1838 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby (1843) I. vi. 63 The beauty of the earth is but a breath, and man is but a shadow.
1941 Washington Post 26 Feb. 10/1 When..Albert Ritchie was running for his first term, Harry Nice came within a breath of beating him.
2002 N. Tosches In Hand of Dante 154 True enlightenment could not come elsewise but through the fleeting, fluttering, momentary contact—ictu—an illumination of but a breath, after which one must return to the Humilitas of life.
c. The air inhaled into and exhaled from the lungs in the act of breathing.See also to draw breath at Phrases 2.Also in phrases relating to the act of speaking: see to save one's breath at save v. Phrases 6, to waste one's breath at Phrases 7 and cf. sense 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > [noun] > breath > air received or expelled from lungs
breathc1300
c1300 St. Michael (Laud) l. 669 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 318 Man hath of eorþe al is bodi..Of þe Eyr he hath breth..of fuyr he hath hete.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms cxxxiv[v]. 16 They heare not, nether is there eny breth in their mouthes.
1603 M. Drayton Barrons Wars v. lxiv. 119 As yet his breath found passage to and fro, With many a short pant, many a broken word.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 426. ⁋2 Within ten Hours after the Breath is out of the Body.
1876 Bulwer-Lytton's Pausanias (ed. 2) iii. i. 169 The soul does not perish when the breath leaves the lips.
1962 M. Renault Bull from Sea (1968) ix. 108 She..fell clean but hard with all the breath knocked out of her.
2010 S. Hale Forest Born (e-book ed.) Isi paused as if trying to find enough breath to speak.
d. An inhalation or exhalation of air; a single act of breathing in and out.See also in one breath, in (also with) the same breath at Phrases 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > [noun] > breath > single
breathc1300
breathful1815
c1300 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Otho) (1963) l. 3752 Iulius mid þe seolue breþ, his gode sweord vp heof.
1489 W. Caxton tr. C. de Pisan Bk. Fayttes of Armes ii. xxxix. sig. Lij Taughte to..plonge in to the watre, and wyth a long breth to kepe them self therynne.
?1571 tr. G. Buchanan Detectioun Marie Quene of Scottes sig. Kijv Quhen she can nat stay him in life, commeth she to receiue his last breath?
1612 J. Davies Muses Sacrifice sig. M3v My flesh like wither'd fruit now falleth with each breath.
1717 A. Pope Eloisa to Abelard in Wks. 434 Till ev'ry motion, pulse, and breath, be o'er.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. xvii. 272 I'll fight to the last breath, before they shall take my wife and son.
1920 Nation 13 Mar. 338/1 Born on the English sea-coast, he tasted with his first breath the salt air and love of the sea.
2019 News & Star (Nexis) 28 Dec. Take deep breaths, think calming thoughts and do not give in to anxiety.
e. Chiefly poetic. The air blown into a musical instrument, which produces the sound.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > playing wind instrument > [noun] > wind blown into instrument
windc1374
breathc1450
c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer House of Fame (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 1684 Al the breth..went Out of his trumpes mouthe.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. vi. 9 Make all our Trumpets speak, giue them all breath . View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 95 Before the Breath Of brazen Trumpets rung the Peals of Death. View more context for this quotation
1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz 36 But the soul is not the body: and the breath is not the flute.
2005 T. McGarry Triad 254 They would..ease back into dreams as the wistful breath of Korelan's distant flute soothed the restive haunts and spirits.
f. An opportunity to breathe; esp. (figurative) a pause in which to rest, relax, or evaluate a situation. Also (and in earliest use) as a mass noun: time or space in which to breathe or relax. Cf. breathing space n. at breathing n. Compounds 3b.See also to take (one's, a) breath at Phrases 4.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > temporary cessation of activity or operation > [noun] > (a) respite > to recover breath
breathing space1545
breathing time1545
breathing1561
breathing-while1565
breathing-fit1589
breath1597
breather1876
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iv. ii. 25 Giue me some breath, some little pause my lord. View more context for this quotation
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida ii. iii. 111 He hopes it is no other But for your health, and your disgestion sake, An after dinners breath . View more context for this quotation
1673 W. Temple Observ. United Provinces i. 68 The great breath that was given the States in the heat of their Affairs.
1718 L. Echard Hist. Eng. (new ed.) II. i. iii. 154 The Marquess..landing some of his spent Men in a little Island, to give them some Breath and Refreshment.
1919 ‘K. Mansfield’ Let. 5 Dec. (1993) III. 142 You have of course worked about a million times too hard and too long. That long breath you never have time for.
2014 T. A. Fisher Post-Show Discuss. in New Play Devel. vi. 64 Just like the audience needs a breath before the discussion, so too does the playwright.
4.
a. The faculty or action of breathing; respiration. Hence: existence, life.See also breath of life at Phrases 1a, bated breath at bated adj., to hold one's breath at Phrases 5a, to take a person's breath (away) at Phrases 9.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > source or principle of life > vital principle > [noun]
souleOE
lifeOE
spiritusOE
bloodOE
ghostOE
life and soulOE
quickship?c1225
quicknessc1230
breatha1300
spirita1325
spark1382
naturec1385
sparkle1388
livelinessa1398
rational soula1398
spiracle1398
animal spirit?a1425
vital spiritc1450
soul of the world1525
candle1535
fire1576
three souls1587
vitality?1592
candlelight1596
substance1605
vivacity1611
animality1615
vividity1616
animals1628
life spring1649
archeus1651
vital1670
spirituosity1677
springs of life1681
microcosmetor1684
vital force1702
vital spark (also flame)1704
stamen1718
vis vitae1752
prana1785
Purusha1785
jiva1807
vital force1822
heartbeat1828
world-soul1828
world-spirit1828
life energy1838
life force1848
ghost soul1869
will to live1871
biogen1882
ki1893
mauri1897
élan vital1907
orgone1942
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > [noun]
orthOE
breatha1300
spiritc1350
aspirement1393
breathinga1398
suspiry1398
spirtc1415
respiration?a1425
respiring?a1425
windc1450
soufflement1483
anding1487
spiring1533
spiration1568
suspiration1604
aspiration1608
expiration1638
eupnœa1706
flation1708
rebreathing1877
ventilation1891
a1300 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 221 [H]wenne..þe byleueþ þi breþ And þi lif þe at-geþ.
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 2188 Whan with honour yolden is vp his breeth.
1587 J. Higgins Mirour for Magistrates (new ed.) i. Albanact. f. 8 Now faint, I feele my breath begins to fayle.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) v. i. 83 When your first Queene's againe in breath . View more context for this quotation
1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) v He guards our Souls, he keeps our Breath.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam xxxvi. 56 And so the Word had breath . View more context for this quotation
1938 N.Z. Parl. Deb. 251 81/1 That doctrine to me is anathema, and as long as I have breath in my body I will fight it.
2014 Nat. Health Apr. 72/3 Shavasana or the corpse pose is the best yoga practice for high blood pressure. The main aim is to lie down on the ground for a few minutes and concentrate on your breath.
b. The power or ability to be able to breathe well or easily; free or easy breathing. Frequently in expressions relating to losing or regaining the ability to breathe easily, as in to lose (one's) breath, to get one's breath (back), etc.See also in breath, out of breath at Phrases 6, to catch one's breath at catch v. Phrases 4a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > [noun] > power of
windc1330
breatha1450
breathing1580
a1450 Bk. Hawking (Rawl.) f. 315v, in Middle Eng. Dict. at Tene An hawke þat trauelyth vp on þe tayn..wyll pant more for on batyng þan an oþer doth for iiij, & yf she sholde flee a lytill whyle almost she wolde lose hir breþe.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet v. ii. 218 The King shall drinke to Hamlets better breath . View more context for this quotation
1788 Lady's Mag. Jan. 46/1 Aghast Elflida..scarce kept breath.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake i. 10 Two dogs..Unmatched for courage, breath, and speed.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Elaine in Idylls of King 169 At last he got his breath and answer'd.
1906 Clinical Jrnl. 14 Feb. 282/1 He came in on August 13th..with a history of having been lately short of breath.
2019 Philadelphia Inquirer (Nexis) 2 June (Rally section) d9 My heart dropped. I lost my breath for a second.
5. Speech; a spoken or whispered word or words; a spoken sound; an utterance. Formerly also: †judgement or will expressed in words (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > [noun] > that which is or can be spoken
speechc897
saw9..
speech971
wordOE
quideOE
wordsOE
wordOE
thingOE
rouna1225
mouthc1225
queatha1250
breathc1300
reasonc1300
speakingsa1325
swarec1325
saying1340
voicec1350
lorea1375
sermonc1385
carpc1400
gear1415
utterancec1454
parol1474
ditty1483
say1571
said1578
dictumc1586
palabra1600
breathing1606
bringinga1616
elocution?1637
rumblea1680
elocutive1821
vocability1841
deliverance1845
deliverment1850
deliverancy1853
verbalization1858
voicing1888
sayable1937
c1300 (c1280) Southern Passion (Harl. 2277) in Mod. Lang. Notes (1911) 26 17/1 Ihesus seide þo mid wel softe breþ Ich bitake mi gost in his hond.
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xiv. l. 61 Þorw his breth mowen men & bestes lyuen.
1569 J. Hart Orthogr. Pref. f. 6 To vse as many letters in our writing, as we doe voyces or breathes in speaking.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing v. i. 255 Art thou the slaue that with thy breath hast killd Mine innocent child? View more context for this quotation
1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus i. 9 Noting in one breath of Bellarmine three errors.
1786 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 151 Princes and lords are but the breath of kings.
1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues IV. 105 There is an undoubted power in public opinion when no breath is heard adverse to the law.
2006 Growth, Opportunity, Competition: Hearing before Comm. Energy & Commerce, House of Representatives (119th Congr., 2nd Sess.) 48 Everyone who complains about outsourcing you never hear a single breath about in-sourcing.
6.
a. A gentle breeze; a light movement of the air; a puff. Now chiefly in a breath of wind or a breath of air.Cf. a breath of fresh air at Phrases 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > [noun] > puff of
pufflOE
breathc1400
fuff1535
whiff1603
whift1614
tifta1765
cat's paw1769
skift1808
flaff1827
skiff1827
whiffle1842
whisp1884
quiff1912
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > [noun] > gentle wind
auraa1398
breathc1400
air1535
gentle gale1567
zephyr1567
pirriea1614
breeze1626
gentle breeze1635
pirra1722
gale1728
zephyret1777
spill1899
c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 138 When boþe breþes con blowe vpon blo watteres.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 58 Þe bre & the brethe burbelit to gedur.
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. x. 46 There is not a breath of wind stirring.
1702 Eng. Theophrastus 53 He apprehends every breath of air as much as if it were a Hurricane.
1822 P. B. Shelley Hellas 4 Sweet as a summer night without a breath.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xviii. 133 There was not a breath of air stirring.
1915 Amer. Photogr. Aug. 471 The sun was fiercely hot; there was only a breath of breeze.
2004 S. Hall Electric Michelangelo 174 The fishing boats cast tussled shadows on the water like a breath of wind through wheat fields.
b. figurative and poetic. With personification of the seasons, winds, times of day, etc., as in summer's breath, morning's breath, the breath of autumn, etc.Influenced by senses 2b and 3a.
ΚΠ
?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) ii. met. iii. l. 996 Þe wode wexeþ redy of rosene floures..þoruȝ þe breþe of þe wynde Zephirus þat wexeþ warme.
1594 C. Marlowe & T. Nashe Dido i. sig. B2 The Southerne winde with brackish breath, Disperst them all.
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets liv. sig. D4 When sommers breath their masked buds discloses. View more context for this quotation
1775 R. B. Sheridan Songs Duenna i. 1 The breath of morn bids hence the night.
1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus i. ii. 37 Can I not even breathe The breath of heaven?
1981 Christian Sci. Monitor (Nexis) 30 Dec. (Home Forum section) 21 How blue the sky! How bracing winter's breath!
2013 Aberdeen Press & Jrnl. (Nexis) 3 Oct. 14 The cool breath of autumn is reaching into our glens and woodlands, chilling the air and turning all the birch and beech leaves to gold.
c. figurative and in figurative contexts. A prevailing mood or opinion, esp. that of the public, regarded as having an effect on the actions or attitudes of others. Chiefly in noun phrases such as the popular breath, the breath of popular applause, etc.Originally with allusion to a wind blowing in a particular direction, but later also showing the influence of other senses, esp. sense 5.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > opinion held by group > [noun]
voice?a1400
received opinion1440
vote1562
sense1563
minda1586
opinion1598
breath1610
vogue1626
climate1661
received idea1697
mass mind1922
idée reçue1933
mythology1949
1610 A. Browne tr. St. Bonaventure Life Father S. Francis x. 119 He was especially carefull to conforme himself vnto others; least haply that which had bin out wardly discovered, might by the breath of humane favour [L. aura fauoris], be inwardly evacuated of merite and reward.
1665 R. South Serm. preached before Court 30 The Mind can..quickly feel the thinness of a popular Breath.
1790 G. Morris in J. Sparks Life G. Morris (1832) II. 96 They must patiently wait the breath of the Assemblée, and follow as it blows.
1836 N. L. Frothingham Ruffian Released 6 They took justice out of the hands that were sworn to maintain it, and set it floating upon the popular breath.
1874 H. R. Reynolds John the Baptist i. §4. 35 Forced into new attitudes by the changing breath of human appreciation.
2008 Inca Kola News (Nexis) 23 Dec. One country is going into debt to boost investor confidence. The other is holding on to savings in order to do exactly the same. Both will receive the breath of popular applause, of course.
d. figurative. A sign, hint, or suggestion of something, regarded in terms of its influence or effect.Cf. the semantically similar sense 2c, where the emphasis is on the ‘breath’ as a figurative emanation from something rather than as a phenomenon coming from outside.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > hint or covert suggestion > [noun]
feelc1485
inkling1529
intimation1531
insinuation1532
by-warning1542
byword1542
item1561
cue1565
air1567
vent1613
insusurration1614
hinta1616
injection1622
indication1626
infusion1641
side glance1693
ground bass1699
touch1706
side view1747
sidewipe1757
allusion1766
penumbra1770
breath1795
slyness1823
by-hint1853
light1854
shove1857
suggestion1863
sous-entendu1865
point1870
sidewiper1870
sniff1936
1795 W. Belsham Mem. Reign George III IV. 84 Those fears and apprehensions..are so apt to agitate the mercantile world at the slightest breath of innovation.
1853 E. FitzGerald tr. P. Calderón de la Barca Beware of Smooth Water i. iii. 241 A woman..whose reputation One breath of scandal, like a flake of snow, May melt away.
1949 F. Towers Tea with Mr. Rochester (1952) 17 She knew that one breath of reality would blow her world to smithereens.
2018 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 30 June (Saturday section) 25 The flames of parental pride are unquenchable, and burst into life at the merest breath of filial achievement.
†7. to have breath: (of a mine, in tunnel warfare) to have an opening or channel through which the force of the explosion is dissipated. Obsolete.Apparently an isolated use.
ΚΠ
1524 R. Copland tr. J. de Bourbon Syege Cyte of Rodes in Begynnynge Ordre Knyghtes Hospytallers sig. Civv The myne had spyrall or brethe in .ii. places.
8. Phonetics. Sound produced without vibration of the vocal cords, as when forming the voiceless consonants /k/, /t/, /p/, /x/, /ʃ/, /s/, /θ/, and /f/. Cf. voice n. 11, voiceless adj. 5. Now somewhat rare.Quot. 1669 appears to be an isolated early use.See also breath consonant n. at Compounds 2, Compounds 1d.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > voiced or voiceless sound gen > [noun] > voiceless quality
breath1669
voicelessness1874
1669 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 4 958 Find out the different Kinds of Matter, of which Letters are made; and these are in general, Breath, when only Spirit or Breath is articulated; and Voice, when Articulation is of Breath vocalized.
1888 H. Sweet Hist. Eng. Sounds (new ed.) 18 The relations of breath and voice in consonants are mainly determined by their surroundings.
1923 M. V. Trofimov & D. Jones Pronunc. Russian iii. 20 Most ordinary speech-sounds contain either breath or voice. Those which contain breath are called breathed or voiceless sounds, and those which contain voice are called voiced sounds.
2013 J. Esling in M. J. Jones & R.-A. Knight Bloomsbury Compan. to Phonetics vii. 124 Slightly less opening, but still with an unconstricted larynx, produces the classic phonetic sound of breath, as heard in voiceless fricatives.

Phrases

P1. Noun phrases.
a. breath of life. Chiefly with the.
(a) The breath regarded as the means by which life is supported. Cf. life-breath n. at life n. Compounds 3.Frequently with reference to Genesis 2:7, in which God breathes life into the man he has created; cf. quot. a1382.
ΚΠ
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1959) Gen. ii. 7 Þe lord god..spyride in to þe face of hym: ane entre of breþ of lyf [L. spiraculum vitae].
1596 T. Lodge Prosopopeia sig. G4v Oh loue, if thou art mightier than death, now shew thy power,..breath the breath of life into him by imbraces and kissing.
1611 Bible (King James) Gen. vii. 22 All in whose nosethrils was the breath of life . View more context for this quotation
1833 J. Neal Down-easters I. i. 14 Never seed sich a fellow since I breathed the breath of life.
1987 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 12 Mar. c6/1 Oxygen is the waste product they [sc. water plants] breathe out, but it is the breath of life to the consuming element: the fishes, newts, tadpoles and insects.
2014 S. Afr. Archaeol. Bull. 69 169/2 Amongst the Khoe-San wind and breath is used as a way of talking about the god-given breath of life that ultimately defines what an organism is.
(b) figurative. Something which has a sustaining or revitalizing effect. Also: a substantial improvement to prospects.
ΚΠ
1814 Ld. Byron Ode to Napoleon 9 The earthquake voice of Victory, To thee the breath of life.
1870 Leicester Jrnl. 15 Apr. A new breath of life is stirring Society. New views are rapidly forming; new hopes and aspirations are entering into the heart of the masses.
1925 N. P. Price in J. Aaron View across Valley (1999) xi. 120 Excitement and fun were the very breath of life to her.
1969 Dixon (Illinois) Evening Tel. 9 Apr. 16/5 Staring at almost certain defeat, the Cubs got a breath of life when Randy Hundley singled with one out in the bottom of the 11th.
2020 Blue Mountains Gaz. (Sydney) (Nexis) 15 Apr. 29 We are well aware that competition is the breath of life in the food service industry.
b. a breath of fresh air.
(a) A (usually short) period of time spent in the open air, or outdoors, esp. as a means of relief from being indoors.Quot. 1787 could alternatively be interpreted as showing sense 6a.
ΚΠ
1787 S. Trimmer Two Farmers xx. 97 When I had been in London a month, I longed for a breath of fresh air.
1849 C. Brontë Shirley II. vii. 173 Joe Scott had sauntered forth from the church to get a breath of fresh air, and there he stood.
1912 J. Conrad Secret Sharer i, in 'Twixt Land & Sea 120 I strolled out on the quarter-deck... A breath of fresh air was all I wanted.
2003 H. Camisa & J. Franklin Inside Out iv. 54 It's kind of stuffy in here, so I think we'll go out for a breath of fresh air and change of scenery.
(b) figurative. A person who or thing which is regarded as a pleasant and refreshing change.In similative use in quot. 1874.
ΚΠ
1874 L. D. Blake Fettered for Life 96 It's just like a breath of fresh air talking to you, Laura.]
1901 Sewanee Rev. 9 499 Mr. Peake brings a characteristic American breath of fresh air into his book.
1990 St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch (Nexis) 14 June 3 g In a business where overblown egos often take precedence over the music, she's a breath of fresh air, content to remain a ‘team player’.
2000 Org. Gardening Sept. 8/2 Your editorial was such a breath of fresh air. It was straightforward, sincere, and most informative.
P2. to draw (one's) breath and variants: to breathe; to inhale; (later also) to rest and recover one's normal rate of breathing after vigorous physical activity. Also in extended use: to live; to be alive. before one can (also has time to) draw breath: before one can do anything; instantly.
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
c1300 St. Bartholomew (Laud) l. 45 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 368 Þat he ne may enes drawe is breth.
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) iv. l. 1458 (MED) He myȝt vnneþe drawe his breth.
?1570 T. Drant Two Serm. sig. H.vi O all ye..that draw breath vnder the cope of the skies, ye spring vp like Lilies, and goe downe like Lilies.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §744 Wee see, that in great Colds, one can scarce draw his Breath.
1782 J. H. St. J. de Crèvecoeur Lett. from Amer. Farmer xii. 278 Shall I arm myself against that country where I first drew breath, against the play-mates of my youth?
1847 C. Brontë Jane Eyre I. 116 ‘A careless girl¬’ said Mr. Brocklehurst, and immediately after—‘It is the new pupil, I perceive.’ And before I could draw breath, ‘I must not forget I have a word to say respecting her.’
1949 G. Berrie Morale 27 On the outskirts of the crowd they stopped to draw breath.
1989 T. Parker Place called Bird xxiii. 288 He'll have you out [of your car] with your hands up and search you for your piece before you've time to draw breath.
2003 J. R. Lennon Mailman ii. vii. 385 He draws breath now, big lungsful of that soupy air, and lets it out slowly.
P3. in (also at, with) one breath, in (also with) the same breath, and variants: without pausing to take a breath; inhaling or exhaling only once. Also figurative: in the same statement or context; at the same time (frequently used to imply that a statement contains conflicting ideas or associates dissimilar people or things).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > simultaneity or contemporaneousness > [adverb]
on (or in) one sitheeOE
togethersc1175
togetherc1200
at once?c1225
at one shiftc1325
jointly1362
at one strokec1374
with that ilkec1390
at one shipea1400
withc1440
at a timec1485
at (in) one (an) instant1509
all at a shove1555
pari passu1567
in (also at, with) one breath1590
in that ilkec1590
with the same1603
in one1616
concurrently1648
concurringly1650
contemporarily1669
simultaneously1675
synchronistically1684
coevallya1711
in (also with) the same breath1721
synchronically1749
at a slap1753
synchronously1793
contemporaneously1794
coinstantaneously1807
coetaneouslya1817
consentaneously1817
at one or a sweep1834
coincidentally1837
at the very nonce1855
one time1873
coincidently1875
in parallel1969
real time1993
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 357 He ran a furlong at oon breeþ [L. uno anhelitu].
1590 J. Greenwood Answere Giffords Def. 13 Your vnstablenes in denying and affirming with one breath.
1613 W. Browne Britannia's Pastorals I. iv. 65 Sow-thistle.., whose downy wreath, If any one can blow off at a breath, We deeme her for a Maide.
1635 F. Quarles Emblemes i. xii. 49 Thou swallowest at one breath Both food and poyson down.
1721 J. Trenchard & T. Gordon 4th Coll. Cato's Polit. Lett. in London Jrnl. 40 The same worthy, but waggish Pens, represent him with the same Breath, as an abandon'd Atheist, and a bigotted Presbyterian.
1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) iii. 19 Shooting out whatever she had to say in one sentence, and in one breath, if possible.
1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. vi. 564 The Chroniclers speak of it in the same breath with the election of Harold, as if they were both alike popular acts.
1967 Economist 18 Mar. 1008/2 Both Scotland and Wales could in time do well. But the start of their national lives would be bleak... One cannot take seriously the present Nats who advocate freedom and promise prosperity in one breath.
2006 Up Here (Yellowknife, N.W. Territories) Mar. 14/2 The [Yukon] Quest has been called both a grassroots and world class race in the same breath.
P4. to take (one's, a) breath.
a. To breathe; to inhale. Also: to rest and recover one's normal rate of breathing after vigorous physical activity. Now somewhat rare.Cf. to catch one's breath at catch v. Phrases 4a(a).
ΘΚΠ
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 > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > breathe [verb (intransitive)] > recover
to take (one's, a) breatha1398
to catch one's breath1806
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. vi. xi. 305 A bond seruant..vnneþe sche is suffred to reste or to take breeth [L. respirare].
1553 H. Llwyd tr. Pope John XXI Treasury of Healthe (new ed.) sig. c.vii These confections folowinge be good for them whyche cannot take their breath, the confection of muske loche of squilla, loche of pyne, [etc.].
1631 D. Lloyd Legend Capt. Iones 11 Now Iones all breathlesse sat to take his breath Upon a But of sacke.
1703 tr. A. de Ovalle Hist. Relation Chile i. xi. 25/1 The little Valleys, which are like so many resting places..where Passengers take Breath.
1836 F. Marryat Snarleyyow ix, in Metropolitan Apr. 339 Let's have a song while they take their breath.
1949 W. Havighurst Signature of Time 25 ‘Well—’ she took a breath and quirked her mouth.
1989 K. Burdekin End this Day's Business iii. 67 They were like people who had with terrific toil got themselves up a precipice to a flat place where they could rest and take their breath.
2005 R. Aslan No God but God vi. 160 A technical science of Quranic recitation called tajwid, with strict rules regulating..when to breathe and when not to take breath, which consonants to stress and how long to hold each vowel.
b. figurative. To pause in order to reflect, relax, or recover one's equilibrium, esp. after a period of intense activity, emotional upheaval, etc.Cf. to catch one's breath at catch v. Phrases 4a(b).
ΚΠ
1572 G. Fenton tr. E. Pasquier Monophylo i. f. 7v Therfore, the cause being no lesse graue in it selfe, than requiring precise consideration, let vs take breath a litle in this arbor, afore I prefer ye point wherein I meane to accuse you.
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius iii. f. 401 To pause awhiles, and to take breath vpon good aduise, what were best to be done.
1784 E. Middleton Biogr. Evangelica III. 466 He had scarce time to take breath there, being soon after called to preach at Whitehall.
1868 St. James's Mag. Apr. 143 Andrew Hardell stepped aside into the kitchen, to take his breath before going out to hear the news.
1981 Washington Post 27 Oct. d4 We need to take a breath to assess..the data since the program began.
1990 C. Paglia Sexual Personae vii. 219 Cleopatra vaults from one sexual extreme to the other, barely taking breath.
P5.
a. to hold one's (also the) breath: to cease breathing temporarily, holding air in one's lungs; (later also figurative) to refrain from taking action until something happens. Also: to check the breath suddenly, as a result of extreme surprise, admiration, or other strong emotion. See also to catch one's breath at catch v. Phrases 4b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > breathe [verb (intransitive)] > suspend
to hold one's (also the) breatha1398
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > expectation, waiting > wait, await [verb (intransitive)]
bidec1000
onbideOE
abidelOE
sustainc1350
tarry1390
await1393
to wait for1577
hearken1580
attend1589
sit1591
wait and see1719
to wait on1773
to hold one's (also the) breath1987
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xviii. ciii. 1253 And holden in þe breþ and blowynge [L. anhelitum et flatum retinent]..so holdynge þe breþe, whanne þey [sc. badgers] ben hunted and putteþ of in þat wise bytyng of houndes.
a1475 tr. Gilbertus Anglicus Pharmaceutical Writings (Wellcome) (1991) 168 (MED) If a man holdiþ his breþe, his ȝosking wole cese.
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xiv. 65 Holding the breath doth make one stronger to labour.
1692 R. L'Estrange Fables ccccxxvii. 402 Women are generally so Leaky, that..I have hardly met with any one of the Sex that could not hold her Breath longer then she should keep a Secret.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 51 I held my Breath, and assisted my self to swim still forward with all my Might.
1884 Warren (Pa.) Ledger 22 Feb. It was so miracklus ever'body held thar breath.
1987 Guardian (Nexis) 24 July He wants a new ballot, so we shall have to hold our breath until the autumn.
2013 Church Times 14 June 28/1 Hanli Prinsloo, the South African ‘free-diver’..is capable of holding her breath for six minutes, and diving to 65 metres.
b. colloquial (originally U.S.). don't hold your breath: (with reference to a stated or implied situation or event) don't expect it to happen (soon); don't be confident of a successful outcome.
ΚΠ
1889 Quincy (Illinois) Weekly Whig 28 Feb. Crowder Yost will give an extensive fox drive in the near future. But don't hold your breath until he gets ready.
1978 Forbes (Nexis) 20 Mar. (Features section) 64 Don't hold your breath for a stampede of Japanese investors, but it would be good news indeed for Wall Street should Japanese money start coming here.
1985 D. Lucie Hard Feelings i. iii, in Progress & Hard Feelings 60/2 Rusty: When I've finished you'll have my undivided attention, OK? Annie (to Viv): Don't hold your breath.
2001 Org. Gardening Jan. 30/3 If you want to try your luck, scrounge some semi-ripe cuttings in July and set them in a grit-lined trench in a cold frame. But don't hold your breath.
P6.
†a. in breath: not tired out by physical exertion, and hence able to breathe easily. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > [adverb] > easily
in breath?1561
?1561 T. Blundeville Newe Bk. Arte of Ryding ii. ii. sig. E.iii Make a .xi. large turnes and a halfe,..according as your horse shalbe in breath and hable to endure it.
1610 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes (ed. 2) 1254 The Turkes yet in breath..gaue an attempt vnto the high towne.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson iii. iii. 328 Mr. Gordon..being fresh and in breath, easily outstripped the Gloucester's man, and got before him to the Commodore.
1886 in Boy's Own Ann. (1915) 46/1 I think that is hard work..to fight a man downstairs and come back and try to be in breath as you go on with sermon or prayer.
b.
(a) out of breath: breathless; breathing with difficulty. Later also as a modifier, usually with hyphens.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [adverb]
wearily1481
out of breath1565
faintingly1576
languishingly1579
tiredly1659
weariedly1681
pantingly1744
exhaustedly1835
droopingly1852
languorously1858
to a frazzle1865
leadenly1879
jadedly1885
wearifully1888
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disordered breathing > [adverb] > shortness of breath
out of breath1565
puffingly1770
1565 J. Shute in tr. P. Viret 1st Pt. Christian Instr. Pref. sig. a.iv He that sat asked hym, why he came thyther,..who beynge excedyngly affrayde & in maner out of breath, aunswered, that he came for a certayne garment for the Pope.
1642 Dolefull Lament. Cheap-side Crosse 3 Some againe will talke themselves out of breath, in scripture phrases.
1763 J. Brown Diss. Poetry & Music iii. 35 The Dance is composed of several Returns: Each Return lasts till the Dancers are out of Breath.
1865 D. Livingstone & C. Livingstone Narr. Exped. Zambesi xix. 366 But talking and bawling did not put them out of breath.
1947 G. Greene 19 Stories 156 Low out-of-breath tones.
1987 J. Smith Masculine Ending vii. 93 Opening the front door of the flat, she came face to face with an out-of-breath uniformed policeman.
2017 C. McQueer Hings 153 A few years ago, the weight of the bag over his shoulder would have had him sweating and out of breath.
(b) to run (a person or thing) out of breath: to tire (a person) out, esp. with running or other physical activity. Frequently figurative: to exhaust (a person or thing). Now rare.
ΚΠ
1583 B. Melbancke Philotimus (new ed.) sig. M.iii I thinke it better to rest in the midway, then run my selfe out of breath, & get no goale.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iv. i. 57 You run this humor out of breath . View more context for this quotation
1756 Ess. on Times 53 They had run their resentment out of breath, or evaporated it upon that pitiful object.
1862 J. Skelton Nugæ Criticæ xi. 488 This..is the age of hurry-skurry. We have all run ourselves out of breath.
2017 Springfield News-Sun (Ohio) (Nexis) 20 May I read this series of long sentences that should have run me out of breath before I reached the end but never did.
P7. to waste (one's) breath and variants: to speak without bringing about any worthwhile result; to speak or argue pointlessly. Now frequently in don't waste your breath and similar negative constructions, used to indicate that there is little point in talking about something.Cf. to waste words, to waste wind at waste v. 9d, to save one's breath at save v. Phrases 6.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > be of no avail [verb (intransitive)] > expend effort in vain > speak in vain
to waste breathc1540
to waste (one's) breath1572
to talk to a brick wall1873
1572 T. Palfreyman Divine Medit. To Rdr. sig. ***.vi Whilest thy tongue onely oft babbleth, and vaynely wastest muche breath.
1679 T. D'Urfey Squire Oldsapp i. i. 2 Hold! and prethee waste thy Breath in no more of these lavish praises.
1749 W. Melmoth tr. Quinctilian Dialogue conc. Oratory in Lett. by Sir Thomas Fitzosborne II. 307 They did not think it necessary to declaim in the schools, and idly waste their breath upon feigned or frivolous controversies.
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam cxviii. 185 I trust I have not wasted breath . View more context for this quotation
1920 Muskogee (Okla.) Times-Democrat 24 Mar. 4/1 Politicians don't waste breath on opponents who aren't in the running.
2013 Daily Rec. & Sunday Mail (Nexis) 30 June (First ed.) (Features section) 17 Explaining your point of view isn't likely to change things until she's ready to hear it. So I wouldn't waste your breath.
P8. under (also below) one's breath: in a very quiet voice or whisper.See also underbreath n., adj., and adv.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > [adverb] > in a whispered manner
roundingly?1406
whisperingly1580
under (also below) one's breath1636
auricularly1667
susurringly1830
whisperously1858
underbreath1865
1636 S. Rutherford Let. 22 Nov. in Joshua Redivivus (1664) 22 Madam I finde folks here kind to me, but in the night, & under their breath.
1762 D. Manson Present State & Pract. Play-school in Belfast in New Pocket Dict. 11 One person only can be heard at once; the rest must therefore speak, spell, and read below their breath.
1832 E. Bulwer-Lytton Eugene Aram I. i. iii. 59 ‘Hush!’ said Ellinor under her breath.
1920 Greencastle (Indiana) Herald 10 May 4/2 Kelly swore below his breath.
2018 S. David Peacock's Alibi ii. 20 Bev..shook her head, muttering something under her breath to try and keep a lid on it.
P9. to take a person's breath (away): to cause a person to check his or her breathing suddenly, esp. as a result of extreme surprise, admiration, or other strong emotion. Hence: to take a person by surprise; to astound.Cf. to catch a person's breath at catch v. Phrases 4b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > feeling of wonder, astonishment > quality of inspiring wonder > be a matter of wonder [verb (intransitive)] > excite wonder
dazzle1649
to take a person's breath (away)1700
impress1736
to make a stare1808
astonish1904
to blow (a person's) mind1967
1700 F. Manning Generous Choice iv. i. 26 Seb. My Angel, thou shalt have twenty of them presently. Kisses her...El. Nay now you take my Breath away.
1862 Harper's Mag. Nov. 755/1 The wind and the driving sleet tore madly in and drenched her and took her breath away.
1866 Chess World May 74 Here Mr. Reichhelm commits a blunder which takes one's breath away.
a1910 ‘M. Twain’ Myst. Stranger (1916) 14 He said it placidly, but it took our breath for a moment and made our hearts beat.
2000 P. Howard Miseducation Years (2004) i. 46 The eagle rules the skies with a majesty that simply takes the breath away.
P10. to bate one's breath: see bate v.2 5a. to save one's breath to cool one's porridge: see porridge n. Phrases 3.

Compounds

C1.
a. General use as a modifier.
ΚΠ
1782 C. Burney Gen. Hist. Music II. 18 (note) The punctuation of the Psalms in the English Psalter..expresses this Mediatio, or breath-place.
1848 London Med. Gaz. 15 Dec. 1050/1 There is general clearness on percussion..except from right mamma to margin of ribs, which is quite dull, and no breath noise exists.
1934 R. C. Priebsch & W. E. Collinson German Lang. p. xv A total stoppage of the outgoing breath-stream.
1937 Life 26 July 13/3 (advt.) See how Listerine Tooth Paste combats breath odors that do you no good socially or in business.
2009 Independent 31 Aug. 6/2 The lung cancer biomarkers were found by comparing breath samples from 40 diagnosed patients and 56 healthy individuals.
b. With participles and agent nouns, forming compounds in which breath expresses the object of the underlying verb, as in breath-stopping, breath-sweetening (adjectives); breath-giver, breath-taker, etc.
ΚΠ
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) iii. x. sig. Oo Peace (wicked woman) peace, vnworthy to breathe, that doest not acknowledge the breath-giuer.
1602 J. Beaumont Metamorph. Tabacco sig. B Breath-giuing herbe, none other I inuoke To helpe me paint the praise of sugred smoke.
1791 J. Payne Universal Geogr. I. iv. 809/2 The bone..is thus thrust through the cartilage of the nose, so entirely stops up both nostrils... These people..whilst they wear these breath-stoppers, must be incapable of any swift motion.
1878 E. B. Shuldham Clergyman's Sore Throat iii. 40 The best runner is as a rule, other things being equal, the best breath-taker.
1979 N.Y. Times 10 Dec. d11/2 The breath-robbing occupational disease that doctors call pneumoconiosis.
1999 L. Mason Sweets & Sweet Shops 10 Breath-sweetening lozenges.
2000 Diva May 38/1 A converted stone wine-production cottage, with a breath-stopping view down the valley to the Mediterranean.
c. As a modifier, with the sense ‘by means of the breath; by the breath; with the breath’, as in breath-activated, breath-stained, etc.
ΚΠ
1605 1st Pt. Jeronimo sig. C4 Be secret then, trust not the open aire, For aire is breath, and breath-blown words raise care.
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa VII. vi. 32 His eyes look like breath-stained glass!
1827 T. Hood Hero & Leander xxxviii, in Plea Midsummer Fairies & Other Poems 81 A breath-blown dart Shot sudden from an Indian's hollow cane.
1872 Appleton's Jrnl. 9 Mar. 234/3 Behind your breath-misted window-pane.
1997 Atlanta (Georgia) Jrnl.-Constit. 21 Sept. 2 c Gustaf..won (by a hair) a race of breath-propelled sailboats.
2007 New Scientist 27 Oct. 61 (advt.) The Easi-Breathe® inhaler..is fast becoming the breath-activated device of choice for asthmatics worldwide.
d. Phonetics. As a modifier, with the sense ‘produced by the breath, without vibration of the vocal cords’, as in breath glide, breath letter, etc.Recorded earliest in breath sound n. 1.See also breath consonant n. at Compounds 2.
ΚΠ
1819 B. H. Smart Theory Elocution i. 44 Such principles as:..the power of letter e to restore s to its breath sound when coming after a liquid: thus we say, pulse, sense, [etc.].
1829 C. Orpen Pestalozzian Primer iv. 87 SH..is a non-vocal or breath letter.
1879 H. Sweet in Trans. Philol. Soc. 1877–9 471 Swedish..final voiced stops..seem to be shorter than in English, and to have a stronger breath off-glide.
1942 Language 18 13 The phonetic influence of the aspirate breath-type on the vowel itself is not known.
1989 Ériu 40 120 In Welsh, geminates are presently found only in intervocalic position..(followed in many dialects by non-phonemic breath glides).
C2.
breath alcohol n. the concentration of alcohol vapour in air exhaled from the lungs, which correlates with blood alcohol concentration and is used as the basis of a non-invasive test for intoxication (cf. breath test n. 1); frequently as a modifier.
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1938 Lancet 2 Apr. 794/1 Harger and his colleagues..demonstrated a good correlation between the blood alcohol and the breath alcohol.
1961 Yale Law Jrnl. 70 695 It sc. lie detection..is less straightforward in its scientific underpinnings than breath-alcohol tests.
2019 Aberdeen Press & Jrnl. (Nexis) 16 July 6 Between June 24 and July 7, officers across the country carried out 3,076 breath tests, with 238 of those showing drivers were over the breath-alcohol limit.
breath bubble n. a bubble produced by exhaling underwater; (also figurative) something of little value or importance, a trifle.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > that which is unimportant > insubstantial
triflec1290
vainc1330
winda1382
vapour1382
gossamer?a1400
visevase1481
good morrow1542
cobweb1579
superficial1579
puff1583
bladder1589
blathery1591
froth1594
bag of winda1599
moth1600
nominala1625
tumour1630
windlestraw1637
vacuity1648
balloon1656
blank1678
breath bubble1835
nominality1842
fluff1906
cotton candy1931
the world > existence and causation > existence > substantiality or concreteness > unsubstantiality or abstractness > [noun] > unsubstantiality or lack of substance > something lacking substance
breathc1275
winda1382
vapour1382
cloudc1384
gossamer?a1400
webc1400
comedown1583
bubble1598
anatomy1605
carcass1612
intentional1658
blank1678
ethereality1819
breath bubble1835
1835 R. Browning Paracelsus i. 40 Painted toys, Breath-bubbles, gilded dust.
1865 R. W. Buchanan Undertones (ed. 2) 54 The faint breath-bubbles circling in a pool.
2012 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 23 Sept. 3 You can't come up faster than your smallest breath bubbles, or you'll get decompression sickness, the bends.
breath consonant n. Phonetics now rare a consonant produced without vibration of the vocal cords, as in /k/, /t/, /p/, /x/, /ʃ/, /s/, /θ/, and /f/; a voiceless consonant (see voiceless adj. 5a).
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1819 B. H. Smart Theory Elocution i. 39 The breath consonants are those severally denoted by sh and th in show and thaw.
1888 H. Sweet Hist. Eng. Sounds (new ed.) 18 The more primitive Sanskrit usage..devocalizes finally only before a pause or a breath consonant.
1992 D. Viviers & H. van Schalkwyk Success with Eng. Lang. & Communication Skills (2002) ii. 53/1 P is a breath consonant..; b is a voiced consonant..; m is a liquid consonant with vocality and resonance.
breath control n. the technique or practice of regulating the breath, esp. to improve performance in singing, or as an element of yoga, meditation, etc.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > singing > [noun] > breath-control
breath control1881
1881 Musical Rec. (Boston) 29 Jan. 273/2 This..advice most completely expresses the motive for adopting this method of breath control in singing.
1977 Ann. Internal Med. 86 629/1 Hatha yoga: relaxation is elicited through bodily postures and exercises (asanas), breath control (pranayana), and meditation (dhyana).
2014 Church Times 1 Aug. 32/1 I don't really think of myself as a singer... Having said that, I have trained in some breath control and warm-ups and so on, so as not to lose my voice.
breath force n. the strength of the breath when exhaled, esp. when producing a particular sound in speech, in playing a musical instrument, or singing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > intonation, pitch, or stress > [noun] > accent > stress accent
stress?a1705
breath force1866
tone1874
1866 Eng. Mechanic & World of Sci. 16 Nov. 115/1 Simply talk—and not worth the expenditure of the breath-force used in its enunciation.
1963 Eng. Stud. 44 60 Amplitude is not only a function of breath-force but also of vowel quality.
2013 M. Vail Synthesizer (e-book ed.) Wind controller: an electronic instrument with sensors to measure a performer's breath force, finger movements, [etc.].
breath freshener n. any of various (often mint-flavoured) substances or products that freshen the breath, such as mouthwash, chewing gum, breath spray, etc.
ΚΠ
1938 Decatur (Alabama) Daily 19 Mar. 2/5 It seems like a swell thought to use mouth wash more than twice a day... It's good for the teeth and gums and is a swell breath freshener.
1999 Guardian 4 Mar. i. 8/1 Gutkha is a sweetened mixture of tobacco, betel and catechu (a palm nut) which is chewed as a breath freshener.
2019 Sun (Nexis) 14 July New girl Francesca Allen walked in. Anton was seen getting very excited and blasting breath-freshener into his mouth.
breath freshening adj. and n. (a) adj. that freshens the breath; (b) n. the action or process of freshening the breath.
ΚΠ
1940 San Antonio (Texas) Sunday Light 4 Aug. Amer. Weekly section 16/7 (advt.) If his mother is smart, she will start him on this..daily routine... It's a breath freshening habit that may pay him rich dividends..his whole life through.
1971 Sun Reporter (San Francisco) 5 June 18 (avt.) Consumer tests have..shown that consumers prefer Close-Up over conventional toothpastes for breath freshening, cleaning and whitening.
2011 N.Y. Mag. 24 Oct. 45/2 There's no mistaking the aromatic flavor of the fennel plant or its breath-freshening seeds.
breath group n. Linguistics a group of words, usually forming a sentence or part of a sentence, which are spoken in a single breath.
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the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > [noun] > succession of words uttered without a breath
breath group1877
1877 H. Sweet Handbk. Phonetics iii. 86 The only division actually made in language is that into ‘breath-groups’... Within each breath-group there is no pause whatever.
1909 D. Jones Pronunc. of Eng. 58 The following are examples of breath-groups: Yes; Good morning; Shall we go out for a walk?
2013 Jrnl. Folklore Res. 50 208 The members saw no value in breaking the texts into lines based on intonation, breath groups, pauses, and other similar performance elements.
breath mint n. a mint-flavoured lozenge or sweet for freshening the breath.
ΚΠ
1912 Hereford (Texas) Brand 5 Jan. 4/2 A telephone exchange has ordered all their ‘hello girls’ to keep a box of breath mints at hand so they can always reply to..irate phone users with a sweet tempered voice.
2007 Wired Jan. 93/2 His..dating adviser: ‘Get enough sleep, cut your nose hair, have breath mints, charge your cell phone,..take a shower.’
breath room n. space or time in which to breathe; (now esp.) a pause in which to rest, relax, or evaluate a situation.Cf. breathing room n. at breathing n. Compounds 3b.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > [noun] > breathing space or elbow room
breathing room1641
breath room1667
elbow room1670
breathing space1842
1667 A. Bailey Spightful Sister i. i. 7 Letters Inform me of the neer approach of Death toth' Reverend Old Man: already 'tas took up all but his breath-room.
1669 J. Worlidge Systema Agriculturæ viii. §3. 161 Leaving the Plant a little Breath-room in the middle.
1853 W. Ball Transcript & Other Poems 11 Oh give thy soul Breath-room awhile.
2011 Foster's Daily Democrat (Nexis) 8 Oct. Anderson's goal 52 seconds later gave Somersworth breath room and the 'Toppers were able to run the clock out with a two-goal lead.
† breath-seller n. Obsolete rare a person who is prepared to say whatever is necessary for financial gain.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > one who speaks > [noun] > for pay or professionally
breath-seller1601
table-talker1822
society > trade and finance > selling > seller > sellers of specific things > [noun] > seller of perfumes
pimentarya1382
perfumer1564
breath-seller1601
fumer1611
1601 W. Cornwallis Ess. II. l. sig. Nn4 Call in those breath-sellers, and perfumers.
1682 E. Hickeringill Scandalum Magnatum 12 Good Sir George Jeffries (that never before had told a Lye at the Bar) if you'll believe him, or any Hackney Breath-sellers, they come not for the sake of the Guinies, but purely in Devotion to Justice.
breath spray n. a liquid sprayed into the mouth to freshen the breath (cf. breath freshener n.); (also) a device for administering such a spray.
ΚΠ
1952 Long Beach (Calif.) Press-Telegram 2 May (Home ed.) b4/2 Other products to complete the beauty management course are..a chlorophyl breath spray and two types of deodorant.
2003 D. Brown Da Vinci Code (2004) xliii. 248 Impeccably dressed in a silk suit, Vernet sprayed some breath spray in his mouth and tightened his tie as he walked.
breath strip n. a small piece of dissolvable film, typically mint-flavoured, that melts in the mouth to freshen the breath.In earliest use: a chewable strip intended to freshen the breath of a dog.
ΚΠ
1997 J. A. Reed Whole Dog Catal. 131/2 Long-Lasting, Chewy Breath Strips... Get rid of morning breath or your dog's other various taste explorations with these all-natural green beefhide strips.
2004 Independent 9 Aug. (Review section) 4/3 The market [for mint sales] subdivides into several bewildering categories including soft, hard, after-dinner, gum, breath fresheners, breath strips et al.
2019 Eureka (Calif.) Times-Standard (Nexis) 20 Aug. (Features section) 7 Make sure you are..conscientious about brushing, flossing and using an antiseptic mouthwash... You might want to keep mints or antiseptic breath strips handy.
† breath-tainted adj. Obsolete rare (of a person) having tainted or foul breath; (of speech) tainted by foul breath.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > fetor > [adjective] > bad-breathed
strong-breathed1575
sour1578
breath-tainteda1644
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > [adjective] > having breath of specific kind > foul
strong-breathed1575
sour1578
breath-tainteda1644
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disordered breathing > [adjective] > bad breath
strong-breathed1575
breath-tainteda1644
a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) Soliloquy i. 4 An old Breath-tainted Churl.
a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) Soliloquy xii. 62 What pleasure shall thy great Creator raise From thy breath-tainted, and unsav'ry praise?
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2020; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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