breathing

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɹiːðɪŋ/

breathing

1. present participle of breathe

breathing (countable and uncountable, plural breathings)

1. The act of respiration; a single instance of this.
2. A diacritical mark indicating aspiration or lack thereof.
3. (archaic) Time to recover one's breath; hence, a delay, a spell of time.
   • 1599, William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, Act 2 Scene 1

     DON PEDRO. Count Claudio, when mean you to go to church?

     CLAUDIO. To-morrow, my lord. Time goes on crutches till love have all his rites.

     LEONATO. Not till Monday, my dear son, which is hence a just seven-night; and a time too brief too, to have all things answer my mind.

     DON PEDRO. Come, you shake the head at so long a breathing; but, I warrant thee, Claudio, the time shall not go dully by us.

4. Any gentle influence or operation; inspiration.

   the breathings of the Holy Spirit

5. Aspiration; secret prayer.
   • Tillotson

     earnest desires and breathings after that blessed state