Sigh | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Sigh, v. i.

verbintransitive

(sī), v. i. [imp. & p. p. SIGHED; p. pr. & vb. n. SIGHING.] [O. & Prov. Eng. sīke, sīthe, sythe, A-S. sican, siccettan, séofian, siōfian, Sw. sucka, Dan. sukke, L. Ger. suchten, suften, D. zuchten, O. H. Ger. süftōn, M. H. Ger. siuften, siufzen, N. H. Ger. seufzen.]

Sense 1. To inhale a larger quantity of air than usual, and immediately expel it; to make a deep single respiration, especially as the result or involuntary expression of fatigue, exhaustion, grief, sorrow, or the like.

He sighed deeply in his spirit. Mark viii. 12.

Sense 2. Hence, to lament; to grieve.

Sense 3. To make a sound like sighing.

And the coming wind did roar more loud, And the sails did sigh like sedge. Coleridge.

This word was formerly, in England, sometimes pronounced, very corruptly, sithe (the th having the same sound as in thistle), and this pronunciation is still occasionally heard, among the vulgar, in some parts of the United States.

Sigh, v. t.

verbtransitive

(sī), v. t. 1. To utter sighs over; to lament or mourn over. Ages to come, and men unborn Shall bless her name and sigh her fate. Prior. 2. To express by sighs. The gentle swain . . . sighs back her grief. Hoole.

Sigh, n.

noun

(sī), n. [A-S. siccet, D. zucht, Sw. suck, Dan. suk.]

Sense 1. A single deep respiration; a long breath; the inhaling of a larger quantity of air than usual, and the sudden emission of it, especially as the result or involuntary expression of fatigue, exhaustion, or some depressing emotion, as grief, sorrow, anxiety, and the like.

If the wind were down, I would drive the boat with my sighs. Shak.

Sense 2. Hence, a manifestation of grief or sorrow.

With their sighs the air Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite. Milton.