'Under one's breath' definitions:
Definition of 'Under one's breath'
From: GCIDE
- Under \Un"der\ ([u^]n"d[~e]r), prep. [AS. under, prep. & adv.; akin to OFries. under, OS. undar, D. onder, G. unter, OHG. untar, Icel. undir, Sw. & Dan. under, Goth. undar, L. infra below, inferior lower, Skr. adhas below. [root]201. Cf. Inferior.]
- 1. Below or lower, in place or position, with the idea of being covered; lower than; beneath; -- opposed to over; as, he stood under a tree; the carriage is under cover; a cellar extends under the whole house. [1913 Webster]
- Fruit put in bottles, and the bottles let down into wells under water, will keep long. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
- Be gathered now, ye waters under heaven, Into one place. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Hence, in many figurative uses which may be classified as follows; [1913 Webster] (a) Denoting relation to some thing or person that is superior, weighs upon, oppresses, bows down, governs, directs, influences powerfully, or the like, in a relation of subjection, subordination, obligation, liability, or the like; as, to travel under a heavy load; to live under extreme oppression; to have fortitude under the evils of life; to have patience under pain, or under misfortunes; to behave like a Christian under reproaches and injuries; under the pains and penalties of the law; the condition under which one enters upon an office; under the necessity of obeying the laws; under vows of chastity. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]
- Both Jews and Gentiles . . . are all under sin. --Rom. iii. 9. [1913 Webster]
- That led the embattled seraphim to war Under thy conduct. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- Who have their provand Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows For sinking under them. --Shak. [1913 Webster] (b) Denoting relation to something that exceeds in rank or degree, in number, size, weight, age, or the like; in a relation of the less to the greater, of inferiority, or of falling short. [1913 Webster]
- Three sons he dying left under age. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
- Medicines take effect sometimes under, and sometimes above, the natural proportion of their virtue. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
- There are several hundred parishes in England under twenty pounds a year. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
- It was too great an honor for any man under a duke. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
- Note: Hence, it sometimes means at, with, or for, less than; as, he would not sell the horse under sixty dollars. [1913 Webster]
- Several young men could never leave the pulpit under half a dozen conceits. --Swift. [1913 Webster] (c) Denoting relation to something that comprehends or includes, that represents or designates, that furnishes a cover, pretext, pretense, or the like; as, he betrayed him under the guise of friendship; Morpheus is represented under the figure of a boy asleep. [1913 Webster]
- A crew who, under names of old renown . . . abused Fanatic Egypt. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- Mr. Duke may be mentioned under the double capacity of a poet and a divine. --Felton. [1913 Webster]
- Under this head may come in the several contests and wars betwixt popes and the secular princes. --C. Leslie. [1913 Webster] (d) Less specifically, denoting the relation of being subject, of undergoing regard, treatment, or the like; as, a bill under discussion. [1913 Webster]
- Abject and lost, lay these, covering the flood, Under amazement of their hideous change. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- Under arms. (Mil.) (a) Drawn up fully armed and equipped. (b) Enrolled for military service; as, the state has a million men under arms.
- Under canvas. (a) (Naut.) Moved or propelled by sails; -- said of any vessel with her sail set, but especially of a steamer using her sails only, as distinguished from one under steam. Under steam and canvas signifies that a vessel is using both means of propulsion. (b) (Mil.) Provided with, or sheltered in, tents.
- Under fire, exposed to an enemy's fire; taking part in a battle or general engagement.
- Under foot. See under Foot, n.
- Under ground, below the surface of the ground.
- Under one's signature, with one's signature or name subscribed; attested or confirmed by one's signature. Cf. the second Note under Over, prep.
- Under sail. (Naut.) (a) With anchor up, and under the influence of sails; moved by sails; in motion. (b) With sails set, though the anchor is down. (c) Same as Under canvas (a), above. --Totten.
- Under sentence, having had one's sentence pronounced.
- Under the breath, Under one's breath, with low voice; very softly.
- Under the lee (Naut.), to the leeward; as, under the lee of the land.
- Under the gun. Under psychological pressure, such as the need to meet a pressing deadline; feeling pressured
- Under water, below the surface of the water.
- Under way, or Under weigh (Naut.), in a condition to make progress; having started. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Under one's breath'
From: GCIDE
- Breath \Breath\ (br[e^]th), n. [OE. breth, breeth, AS. br[=ae][eth] odor, scent, breath; cf. OHG. br[=a]dam steam, vapor, breath, G. brodem, and possibly E. Brawn, and Breed.]
- 1. The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration; air which, in the process of respiration, has parted with oxygen and has received carbonic acid, aqueous vapor, warmth, etc. [1913 Webster]
- Melted as breath into the wind. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 2. The act of breathing naturally or freely; the power or capacity to breathe freely; as, I am out of breath. [1913 Webster]
- 3. The power of respiration, and hence, life. --Hood. [1913 Webster]
- Thou takest away their breath, they die. --Ps. civ. 29. [1913 Webster]
- 4. Time to breathe; respite; pause. [1913 Webster]
- Give me some breath, some little pause. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 5. A single respiration, or the time of making it; a single act; an instant. [1913 Webster]
- He smiles and he frowns in a breath. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
- 6. Fig.: That which gives or strengthens life. [1913 Webster]
- The earthquake voice of victory, To thee the breath of life. --Byron. [1913 Webster]
- 7. A single word; the slightest effort; a trifle. [1913 Webster]
- A breath can make them, as a breath has made. --Goldsmith. [1913 Webster]
- 8. A very slight breeze; air in gentle motion. [1913 Webster]
- Calm and unruffled as a summer's sea, when not a breath of wind flies o'er its surface. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
- 9. Fragrance; exhalation; odor; perfume. --Tennison. [1913 Webster]
- The breath of flowers. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
- 10. Gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration. [1913 Webster]
- An after dinner's breath. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- Out of breath, breathless, exhausted; breathing with difficulty.
- Under one's breath, in low tones. [1913 Webster]