respire

[ ri-spahyuhr ]
See synonyms for respire on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object),re·spired, re·spir·ing.
  1. to inhale and exhale air for the purpose of maintaining life; breathe.

  2. to breathe freely again, after anxiety, trouble, etc.

verb (used with object),re·spired, re·spir·ing.
  1. to breathe; inhale and exhale.

  2. to exhale.

Origin of respire

1
1375–1425; late Middle English respiren<Latin respīrāre, equivalent to re-re- + spīrāre to breathe; see spirit

Other words from respire

  • pre·re·spire, verb (used with object), pre·re·spired, pre·re·spir·ing.
  • un·re·spired, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for respire

respire

/ (rɪˈspaɪə) /


verb
  1. to inhale and exhale (air); breathe

  2. (intr) to undergo the process of respiration

  1. literary to breathe again in a relaxed or easy manner, as after stress or exertion

Origin of respire

1
C14: from Latin rēspīrāre to exhale, from re- + spīrāre to breathe; see spirit 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012