Breathings

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act of inhaling and exhaling air, typically as a process of respiration; a way of conveying emotions or thoughts through a pattern of breaths; sounds made by the movement of air in and out of the lungs during physical exertion or relaxation
2. The physiological process of taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide through the lungs; a method of expressing oneself through subtle variations in breath; the audible exhalations that can accompany physical activity or meditation
3. The cycle of air movement in and out of the body essential for life functions; a means by which feelings and intentions can be communicated through breath control; the rhythmic sounds produced when breathing heavily or during exercise

Etymology: "Breathings" is the plural of "breathing," which is itself built from the verb "breathe" plus the suffix "-ing." The verb descends from Middle English "brethen," which in turn goes back to Old English roots, and the "-ing" ending traces through Old English "-ung" to ancient Germanic forms. A "breathing" in the sense of an act of drawing air in and out is therefore simply a noun made from a verb action, a pattern English has used throughout its history. The plural form "breathings" is used when counting separate acts of breathing, or when speaking of breaths in a general sense, as in the phrase "every breathing" meaning every living creature. The word has a long Germanic lineage, but its story is a plain one: a verb turned into a noun by adding a common suffix.

Synonyms: respirations, inhalations, exhalations, pantings, gasps