respire
UK[rɪˈspaɪə]US[rɪˈspaɪr]
v
to breathe
v
(of a plant or leaf) to carry out respiration, a process involving the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide
Morpheme Breakdown
re
spire
re
again
spire
breathe
Etymology
The word "respire" originates from the Latin verb respirare, a compound of the prefix re- (meaning "again" or "back") and the verb spirare (meaning "to breathe"). The literal sense is "to breathe again" or "to draw breath repeatedly," reflecting the fundamental, cyclical nature of the breathing process. This Latin root passed into Middle English via Old French, retaining its core meaning. The related Latin noun spiritus ("breath, spirit") shares the same root, illustrating how the concrete act of breathing evolved to also signify life force and vitality.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + spire (breathe)
- re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
- spire: From Latin spirare, meaning "to breathe".
Examples
After the intense workout, he needed a moment to respire deeply.
All living cells respire to produce energy.
The patient found it difficult to respire normally due to the chest infection.