Advertisement

View synonyms for respire

respire

[ ri-spahyuhr ]

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.

respire

/ rɪˈspaɪə /

verb

  1. to inhale and exhale (air); breathe
  2. intr to undergo the process of respiration
  3. literary.
    to breathe again in a relaxed or easy manner, as after stress or exertion
“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


Discover More

Other Words From

  • prere·spire verb (used with object) prerespired prerespiring
  • unre·spired adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of respire1

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of respire1

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

Example Sentences

With what eagerness did I run every morning at sunrise to respire the perfumed air in the peristyle!

Auprs de cette grotte sombre O l'on respire un air si doux, L'onde lutte avec les cailloux, Et la lumire avec que l'ombre.

The moment after I began to respire twenty quarts of unmingled nitrous oxide.

There was in the room an intermittent positive pressure breathing apparatus, which can be used to respire for a patient.

Moreover, in many instances, a great proportion of the larger scholars will respire the estimated quantity of air.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


respiratory tractrespirometer