Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BREATHE, v.t.

1. To inhale as air into the lungs and expel it; as, to breathe vital air. – Dryden.
2. To inject by breathing; to infuse; followed by into. And the Lord God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. – Gen. ii.
3. To expire; to eject by breathing; followed by out; as, to breathe out threatenings and slaughter. – Acts.
4. To exercise; to keep in breath. The greyhounds are as swift as breathed stags. – Shak.
5. To inspire or blow into; to cause to sound by breathing; as, to breathe the flute. – Prior.
6. To exhale; to emit as breath; as, the flowers breathe odors or perfume.
7. To utter softly or in private; as, to breathe a vow. – Shak.
8. To give air or vent to; to open; as, to breathe a vein. [W. brathu, to pierce.] – Johnson. Dryden.
9. To express; to manifest. Other articles breathe the same severe spirit. – Milner.