breathe
Pronunciation: (brē), [key] — v., breathed breath•ing.
—v.i. - to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale; respire.
- (in speech) to control the outgoing breath in producing voice and speech sounds.
- to pause, as for breath; take rest: How about giving me a chance to breathe?
- to move gently or blow lightly, as air.
- to live; exist: Hardly a man breathes who has not known great sorrow.
- to be redolent of.
- (of a material) to allow air and moisture to pass through easily: The jacket is comfortable because the fabric breathes.
- (of the skin) to absorb oxygen and give off perspiration.
- (of a wine) to be exposed to air after being uncorked, in order to develop flavor and bouquet.
—v.t. - to inhale and exhale in respiration.
- to exhale: Dragons breathe fire.
- to inject as if by breathing; infuse: She breathed life into the party.
- to give utterance to; whisper.
- to express; manifest.
- to allow to rest or recover breath: to breathe a horse.
- to deprive of breath; tire; exhaust.
- to cause to pant; exercise.
- Police from four states were breathing down his neck.
- to be close to someone in pursuit; menace; threaten:Police from four states were breathing down his neck.
- to watch someone closely so as to supervise or control:If everyone keeps breathing down my neck, how can I get my work done?
- to have relief from anxiety, tension, or pressure: Now that the crisis was over, he could breathe freely.
- to die: He breathed his last and was buried in the churchyard.
- to maintain secrecy; keep a matter confidential: I'll tell you if you promise not to breathe a word.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.