breathe

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs

   I can breathe better when the air is clean.

2. 2
   verb

   to expel gases or odors

   I decided to open the door and let it breathe.

3. 3
   verb

   to reach full flavor by absorbing air and being let to stand after having been uncorked

   This rare Bordeaux must be allowed to breathe for at least 2 hours.

4. 4
   verb

   to take a short break from one's activities in order to relax

   Let's breathe for a minute before we start the next phase of construction.

5. 5
   verb

   to manifest or evince

   The pastor breathes the Christian spirit.

6. 6
   verb

   to utter or tell

   Don't breathe a word of this.

7. 7
   verb

   to impart as if by breathing

   The new paint breathed new life into the old house.

8. 8
   verb

   to be alive

   Every creature that breathes.

Etymology

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.