catch his breath


the air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.
respiration, especially as necessary to life.
life; vitality.
the ability to breathe easily and normally: She stopped to regain her breath.
time to breathe; pause or respite: Give him a little breath.
a single inhalation or respiration: He took a deep breath.
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.
a slight suggestion, hint, or whisper: The breath of slander never touched her.
a light current of air.
the air drawn into or expelled from the lungs to provide the generative source for most speech sounds.
the audible expiration generating voiceless speech sounds, as (p ), (k ), (sh ), etc.
moisture emitted in respiration, especially when condensed and visible.
a trivial circumstance; trifle.
an odorous exhalation, or the air impregnated by it.
Obsolete. exhalation or vapor.
below/under one's breath, in a low voice or whisper; sotto voce: He protested under his breath because he was afraid to speak up.
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.
in the same breath, at virtually the same time; almost simultaneously: She lost her temper and apologized in the same breath.
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.
save one's breath, to avoid futile talk or discussion: We were told to save our breath because the matter had already been decided.
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.

before 900; Middle English breth, breeth, Old English brǣth smell, exhalation; akin to German Brodem vapor, steam

interbreath, adjective

breadth, breath, breathe.

3. spirit, animation, vigor, force. Unabridged
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World English Dictionary
breath (brɛθ)
1.  the intake and expulsion of air during respiration
2.  the air inhaled or exhaled during respiration
3.  a single respiration or inhalation of air, etc
4.  the vapour, heat, or odour of exhaled air: his breath on the window melted the frost
5.  a slight gust of air
6.  a short pause or rest: take a breath for five minutes
7.  a brief time: it was done in a breath
8.  a suggestion or slight evidence; suspicion: a breath of scandal
9.  a whisper or soft sound
10.  life, energy, or vitality: the breath of new industry
11.  phonetics Compare voice the passage of air through the completely open glottis without vibration of the vocal cords, as in exhaling or pronouncing fricatives such as (f) or (h) or stops such as (p) or (k)
12.  a breath of fresh air a refreshing change from what one is used to
13.  catch one's breath to rest until breathing is normal, esp after exertion
14.  hold one's breath to wait expectantly or anxiously
15.  in the same breath done or said at the same time
16.  out of breath gasping for air after exertion
17.  save one's breath to refrain from useless talk
18.  take one's breath away to overwhelm with surprise, etc
19.  under one's breath, below one's breath in a quiet voice or whisper
[Old English brǣth; related to brǣdan to burn, Old High German brādam heat, breath]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Word Origin & History

O.E. bræð "odor, scent, stink, exhalation, vapor" (O.E. word for "air exhaled from the lungs" was æðm), from P.Gmc. *bræthaz "smell, exhalation" (cf. O.H.G. bradam, Ger. Brodem "breath, steam"), from PIE base *gwhre- "to breathe, smell."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

breath (brěth)

  1. The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration.

  2. A single respiration.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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