breathe

verb17

1. •
   to pull fresh air into the body and push used air out of it
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. •
   To draw something into the lungs.

   • Try not to breathe too much smoke.
5. •
   To expel air from the lungs, exhale.

   • If you breathe on a mirror, it will fog up.
6. •
   To whisper quietly.

   • He breathed the words into her ear, but she understood them all.
7. •
   To exchange gases with the environment.

   • Uncork the wine and leave it on the table for a few minutes to allow it to breathe.
8. •
   Of a material etc., to allow gases to pass through.

   • Garments made of certain new materials breathe well and keep the skin relatively dry during exercise.
9. •
   To exhale or expel (something) in the manner of breath.

   • The flowers breathed a heady perfume.
10. •
    To give an impression of, to exude.

    • The decor positively breathes classical elegance.
11. •
    To pass like breath; noiselessly or gently; to emanate; to blow gently.

    • The wind breathes through the trees.
12. •
    (figurative) To live.

    • I will not allow it, as long as I still breathe.
13. •
    (figurative) To passionately devote much of one's life to (an activity, etc.).

    • ―Do you like hiking? ―Are you kidding? I breathe hiking.
14. •
    To stop, to give (a horse) an opportunity to catch its breath.

    • At higher altitudes you need to breathe your horse more often.
15. •
    To inspire (scripture).

    • The affirmation before us, then, will be, "All scripture is divinely breathed." — 1850
16. •
    To exercise; to tire by brisk exercise.
17. •
    (no longer used) To rest; to stop and catch one's breath.

    • Well! breathe awhile, and then to it again! — 1597