breathableadj.n.

1651 tr. J. A. Comenius Nat. Philos. Reformed vi. 80 Air is a part of the matter indifferently pure, spread over the lower spaces of the world. The nature of it is to be breathable [L. Spirabile] and passable every way.

1854 U.S. Mag. Sci., Art, Manuf. 15 May 80/3 The thin strata of breathable atmosphere which moves over and upon the earth's crust.

1872 Brooklyn Daily Eagle 12 Jan. The air was close, nauseous, and scarcely breathable for want of proper ventilation.

1962 N.Y. Times Bk. Rev. 4 Nov. 7/1 If space-exploring man should discover a planet with breathable atmosphere, earth-like gravity and abundant water, he would consider himself astoundingly fortunate.

2019 Arab News (Nexis) 27 Aug. Both the Clean Air Act of 1963 and the Clean Water Act of 1972 have been instrumental in..ensuring clean rivers and lakes and breathable air.

1933 Portsmouth (Ohio) Times 25 Apr. 13/4 (advt.) Good, tough tennis shoes that wear like iron. Breathable canvas uppers, heavy soles and toe guards.

1937 Hammond (Indiana) Times 8 Oct. 7/5 (advt.) Breathable suede jackets. Water repellent. They're new!

1972 Charleston (W. Va) Daily Mail 14 Apr. 3/3 (advt.) Supremely comfortable sofa..upholstered in brand new breathable vinyl that wears and washes for years of high-styled comfort and heavy use.

2002 G. J. Davenport Surviving Cold Weather iv. 40 In order for the breathable fabrics to be effective, you'll need to keep the pores free of dirt and sweat.

1915 Cornell Chemist July 103 The Chemist has certainly got the atmosphere, not only in good old Cornell breathables, but that distinctive flavor of Morse—with the odors left out.

1961 Valley News (Van Nuys, Calif.) 22 June (West Valley ed.) 34 a/1 Upholstery special... Breathables included. You may never get a bargain like this again.

1996 Daily Mail (Nexis) 25 Apr. 40 New fabrics are much more adventurous in..innovations such as Microfibre, Tactel and Gortex—synthetic breathables that have made the transition from sportswear to mainstream fashion.

2003 J. McLennan Fly Fishing Western Trout Streams iii. 44 Breathables allow vaporous moisture produced by the skin to pass through the waders.

1870 F. H. Ludlow Heart of Continent ii. 101 The air was the perfection of breathableness,—softer, purer, clearer than anything east of the plains.

1980 Radio-Electronics Jan. 37/3 Our creations should not be destructive to any part of their environment, including living cohabitants,..the breathableness of the air, radiation levels, or anything else.