suspiration

English

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin suspīrātiō, suspīrātiōnem (“sighing”).

Noun

suspiration (plural suspirations)

1. The act of breathing, not necessarily for a sustained period (compare respiration, which is sustained).
   • c. 1599-1602, William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, act 1, scene 2; republished as Hamlet, New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1992, →ISBN, page 9:

     nor windy suspiration of forced breath

   • 1662, Henry More, An Antidote Against Atheism, Book II, A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More, p. 80:

     and the assistance of the inward Intercostal Muscles in deep Suspirations, when we take more large gulps of Aire to cool our heart overcharged with Love or Sorrow […]

Related terms

• suspire