Melted as breath into the wind. --Shak.
2. The act of breathing naturally or freely; the power or
capacity to breathe freely; as, I am out of breath.
3. The power of respiration, and hence, life. --Hood.
Thou takest away their breath, they die. --Ps. civ.
29.
4. Time to breathe; respite; pause.
Give me some breath, some little pause. --Shak.
5. A single respiration, or the time of making it; a single
act; an instant.
He smiles and he frowns in a breath. --Dryden.
6. Fig.: That which gives or strengthens life.
The earthquake voice of victory, To thee the breath
of life. --Byron.
7. A single word; the slightest effort; a trifle.
A breath can make them, as a breath has made.
--Goldsmith.
8. A very slight breeze; air in gentle motion.
Calm and unruffled as a summer's sea, when not a
breath of wind flies o'er its surface. --Addison.
9. Fragrance; exhalation; odor; perfume. --Tennison.
The breath of flowers. --Bacon.
10. Gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration.
An after dinner's breath. --Shak.
{Out of breath}, breathless, exhausted; breathing with
difficulty.
{Under one's breath}, in low tones.