| 1. | the air inhaled and exhaled in respiration. |
| 2. | respiration, esp. as necessary to life. |
| 3. | life; vitality. |
| 4. | the ability to breathe easily and normally: She stopped to regain her breath. |
| 5. | time to breathe; pause or respite: Give him a little breath. |
| 6. | a single inhalation or respiration: He took a deep breath. |
| 7. | the brief time required for a single respiration; a moment or instant: They gave it to her and took it away all in a breath. |
| 8. | a slight suggestion, hint, or whisper: The breath of slander never touched her. |
| 9. | a light current of air. |
| 10. | Phonetics.
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| 11. | moisture emitted in respiration, esp. when condensed and visible. |
| 12. | a trivial circumstance; trifle. |
| 13. | an odorous exhalation, or the air impregnated by it. |
| 14. | Obsolete. exhalation or vapor. |
| 15. | below or under one's breath, in a low voice or whisper; sotto voce: He protested under his breath because he was afraid to speak up. |
| 16. | catch one's breath, to pause or rest before continuing an activity or beginning a new one; resume regular breathing: Let me catch my breath before I begin anything new. |
| 17. | in the same breath, at virtually the same time; almost simultaneously: She lost her temper and apologized in the same breath. |
| 18. | out of breath, exhausted or gasping for breath, in consequence of an effort; breathless: After climbing to the top of the tower, we were so out of breath that we had to sit down. |
| 19. | save one's breath, to avoid futile talk or discussion: We were told to save our breath because the matter had already been decided. |
| 20. | take away one's breath, to make one as if breathless with astonishment; surprise; stun: The sheer beauty of the sea took away my breath. Also, take one's breath away. |

breath (brěth)
n.
The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.
A single respiration.