breathe

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To take air into your lungs and let it out again.

   I can breathe more easily now that the air is clean.

2. 2
   verb

   To take a short rest in order to relax.

   Let's breathe for a minute before we start the next part.

3. 3
   verb

   To say something very quietly, especially a secret.

   Don't breathe a word of this to anyone.

From Middle English brethen (“to breathe, blow, exhale, odour”), derived from Middle English breth (“breath”). Eclipsed Middle English ethien and orðiæn, from Old English ēþian and orþian (“to breathe”); as well as Middle English anden, onden, from Old Norse anda (“to breathe”). More at breath.

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