breathe

verb

1. To draw air into (inhale), and expel air from (exhale), the lungs in order to extract oxygen and excrete waste gases.

2. To take in needed gases and expel waste gases in a similar way.

   “Fish have gills so they can breathe underwater.”

3. To inhale (a gas) to sustain life.

   “While life as we know it depends on oxygen, scientists have speculated that alien life forms might breathe chlorine or methane.”

4. figurativeTo live.

   “I will not allow it, as long as I still breathe.”

5. To draw something into the lungs.

   “Try not to breathe too much smoke.”

6. To expel air from the lungs, exhale.

   “If you breathe on a mirror, it will fog up.”

7. To exhale or expel (something) in the manner of breath.

   “The flowers breathed a heady perfume.”

8. To give an impression of, to exude.

   “The decor positively breathes classical elegance.”

9. To whisper quietly.

   “He breathed the words into her ear, but she understood them all.”

10. To pass like breath; noiselessly or gently; to emanate; to blow gently.

    “The wind breathes through the trees.”

11. chiefly evangelicalcharismatic christianitywith god as agentTo inspire (scripture).

12. To exchange gases with the environment.

    “Garments made of certain new materials breathe well and keep the skin relatively dry during exercise.”

13. now rareTo rest; to stop and catch one's breath. <!--Prior quote#*:

14. To stop, to give (a horse) an opportunity to catch its breath.

    “At higher altitudes you need to breathe your horse more often.”