Outblow

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. To expel air or gas forcefully outward ; to surpass or overcome by force or intensity ; to exhaust or use up completely
2. To release a strong current of air or vapor ; to defeat or outdo by greater power or influence ; to deplete resources or energy through expulsion
3. To emit a burst of air or smoke with force ; to excel or surpass in strength or effect ; to consume or drain fully by blowing out

Etymology: "Outblow" is a plain compound: the prefix "out-" joined to "blow," the Old English verb "blāwan," which meant to move air or to breathe out. The prefix "out-" has the sense of extending beyond a limit or surpassing, so the compound carries that idea of going beyond. Middle English had "outblowen" and the variant "ut-blawen," where the older spelling of "out" is visible, showing the word was built from parts that were already in everyday use. The three senses follow the logic of the parts. Blowing air or gas outward gives the literal sense of expelling breath or gas forcefully. Extending that to "surpass or overcome by force or intensity" follows the same outward push, as when one thing blows past another. The sense of exhausting something completely reflects the idea of blowing something away until nothing is left.

Synonyms: blow out, exhale strongly, extinguish, outburst

Antonyms: inhale, suck in, blow in, ignite