breathing

nounadjectiveverbcommon in dialogue

United Kingdom//ˈbɹiːðɪŋ//
United States//ˈbɹiðɪŋ//

A diacritical mark indicating aspiration or lack thereof.

noun

1
A diacritical mark indicating aspiration or lack thereof.
2
archaicTime to recover one's breath; hence, a delay, a spell of time.
3
Any gentle influence or operation; inspiration.
the breathings of the Holy Spirit
4
Aspiration; secret prayer.
Let us then begin Heaven here, in the Frame and Temper of our Minds, in our heavenly Affections and Converſation; in a due Prepation for, and in earneſt Deſires and Breathings after that bleſſed State vvhich vve firmly believe and aſſuredly hope to be one day poſſeſſed of: […]
5
Also a form of breatheverbal noun of breathe: (uncountable) The act of respiration; (countable) a single instance of this.
[…] their breathings, cryings, and excretings would have been damaged […]

Etymology

Etymology tree Middle English breethder. Middle English brethen English breathe Proto-Germanic *-ungō Old English -ung Middle English -ynge English -ing English breathing From breathe + -ing.

adjective

1
Having life; living; alive.
Elantris is quite an exceptional read, a wonderfully rich world of living breathing characters, great plot, and some very original ideas.

verb

1
Also a form of breathepresent participle and gerund of breathe

Forms

plural: breathings

breathed · Having a specified kind of breath.Breathed · A surname.breather · Something or someone that breathes.

breathing · A diacritical mark indicating aspiration or lack thereof.

breathless · Having difficulty breathing; gasping.breathtaking · stunningly beautiful; amazing bree · The brow; forehead.

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