Main Entry: breathe

Pronunciation: \ˈbrēth\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): breathed; breath·ing

Etymology: Middle English brethen, from breth

Date: 14th century

intransitive verb 1 a : to draw air into and expel it from the lungs : respire; broadly : to take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide through natural processes b : to inhale and exhale freely
2 : live
3 a obsolete : to emit a fragrance or aura b : to become perceptible : be expressed <a personality that breathes and that distinguishes his work — Bennett Schiff>
4 : to pause and rest before continuing
5 : to blow softly
6 : to feel free of restraint <needs room to breathe>
7 of wine : to develop flavor and bouquet by exposure to air
8 a : to permit passage of air or vapor <a fabric that breathes> b of an internal combustion engine : to use air to support combustiontransitive verb 1 a : to send out by exhaling b : to instill by or as if by breathing <breathe new life into the movement>
2 : to give rest from exertion to
3 : to take in in breathing <breathe the scent of pines>
4 : to inhale and exhale <breathe air>
5 a : utter, express <don't breathe a word of it to anyone> b : to make manifest : evince <the novel breathes despair>

— breathe down one's neck 1 : to threaten especially in attack or pursuit
2 : to keep one under close or constant surveillance <parents always breathing down his neck>

— breathe easy or breathe easier or breathe easily or breathe freely : to enjoy relief (as from pressure or danger)