v.
- take air into the lungs and then expel it as a regular physiological process.
▸(of a plant or invertebrate animal) respire or exchange gases.
- say with quiet intensity.
- give an impression of:
the room breathed an air of efficiency.
- (of wine) be exposed to fresh air.
- (of material or soil) admit or emit air or moisture.
Phrase
Etymology
ME (in the sense ‘exhale, steam’): from breath.