respire

re·spire

verb \ri-ˈspī(-ə)r\

re·spiredre·spir·ing

Definition of RESPIRE

intransitive verb

1

: breathe; specifically : to inhale and exhale air successively

2

of a cell or tissue : to take up oxygen and produce carbon dioxide through oxidation

transitive verb

: breathe

Examples of RESPIRE

1. Fish use their gills to respire.
2. <though unconscious, the patient is still respiring>

Origin of RESPIRE

Middle English, from Latin respirare, from re- + spirare to blow, breathe

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to RESPIRE

Synonyms: breathe

Related Words: blow (out), draw, expire, inbreathe, inspire; gasp, huff, pant, puff, suspire, wheeze; sniff, snore, snort, snuff, snuffle, whiff; yawn

Near Antonyms: asphyxiate, choke, gag, smother, suffocate; garrote (or garotte), stifle, strangle, throttle

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Rhymes with RESPIRE

attire, backfire, bemire, catch fire, cross fire, denier, desire, entire, for hire, fox fire, Greek fire, grey friar, hang fire, hellfire, live wire, on fire, prior, rimfire, sapphire, sea fire, snow tire, town crier, trip wire, umpire, watch fire, white friar