2 entries under this word
[imp. & p. p. BREATHED; p. pr. & vb. n. BREATHING.] [From breath, q. v.]
Shall I not then be stifled in the vault, To whose foul mouth no healthsome air breathes in. Shak. There breathes a living fragrance from the shore? Byron.
Sense 1. To inhale and exhale in the process of respiration; to respire.
They wish . . .
To view the light of heaven, and breathe the vital air. Dryden.
Sense 2. To inject by breathing; to infuse. “Able to breathe life into a stone.” Shak.
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Gen. ii. 7.
Sense 3. To emit or utter by the breath; to utter softly; as, to breathe a vow. “He softly breathed thy name.” Dryden.
Or let the church, our mother, breathe her curse, A mother's curse, on her revolting son. Shak.
Ha! durst the traitor breathe out so proud words? Shak.
Sense 4. To exhale; to emit, as breath.
Can any mortal mixture of earth's mold Breathe such divine, enchanting ravishment? Milton.
Sense 5. To act on by the breath; to cause to sound by breathing. “To breathe the flute.” Prior.
Sense 6. To promote free respiration in; to exercise. “I am not yet well breathed.” Shak.
And every man should beat thee. I think thou wast created for men to breathe themselves upon. Shak.
I lack breathing and exercise of late. W. Scott.
Sense 7. To suffer to take breath, or recover the natural breathing; to rest; as, to breathe a horse.
A moment breathed his panting steed. W. Scott.
When shall she breathe her from the blushing toil? Byron.
Sense 8. To put out of breath; to exhaust.
Mr. Tulkinghorn arrives in his turret-room, a little breathed by the journey up. Dickens.
Sense 9. [W. brathu, to pierce.] To give air or vent to; to open; as, to breathe a vein. Dryden.