Main Entry: breath

Pronunciation: \ˈbreth\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English breth, from Old English brǣth; akin to Old High German brādam breath, and perhaps to Old English beorma yeast — more at barm

Date: before 12th century

1 a : air filled with a fragrance or odor b : a slight indication : suggestion <the faintest breath of scandal>
2 a : the faculty of breathing <recovering his breath after the race> b : an act of breathing <fought to the last breath> c : opportunity or time to breathe : respite
3 : a slight breeze
4 a : air inhaled and exhaled in breathing <bad breath> b : something (as moisture on a cold surface) produced by breath or breathing c : inhalation
5 : a spoken sound : utterance
6 : spirit, animation

— breath of fresh air : a welcome or refreshing change

— in one breath or in the same breath : almost simultaneously

— out of breath : breathing very rapidly (as from strenuous exercise)

— under one's breath : so as to be barely audible <mumbled something under his breath>