under one's breath
2 definitions found
under one's breath - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :
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.
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Fruit put in bottles, and the bottles let down into
wells under water, will keep long. --Bacon.
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Be gathered now, ye waters under heaven,
Into one place. --Milton.
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2. Hence, in many figurative uses which may be classified as
follows;
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(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.
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Both Jews and Gentiles . . . are all under sin.
--Rom. iii. 9.
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That led the embattled seraphim to war
Under thy conduct. --Milton.
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Who have their provand
Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows
For sinking under them. --Shak.
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(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.
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Three sons he dying left under age. --Spenser.
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Medicines take effect sometimes under, and
sometimes above, the natural proportion of their
virtue. --Hooker.
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There are several hundred parishes in England
under twenty pounds a year. --Swift.
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It was too great an honor for any man under a
duke. --Addison.
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Note: Hence, it sometimes means at, with, or for, less than;
as, he would not sell the horse under sixty dollars.
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Several young men could never leave the pulpit
under half a dozen conceits. --Swift.
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(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.
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A crew who, under names of old renown . . .
abused
Fanatic Egypt. --Milton.
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Mr. Duke may be mentioned under the double
capacity of a poet and a divine. --Felton.
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Under this head may come in the several contests
and wars betwixt popes and the secular princes.
--C. Leslie.
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(d) Less specifically, denoting the relation of being
subject, of undergoing regard, treatment, or the like;
as, a bill under discussion.
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Abject and lost, lay these, covering the flood,
Under amazement of their hideous change.
--Milton.
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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.
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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.
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Melted as breath into the wind. --Shak.
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2. The act of breathing naturally or freely; the power or
capacity to breathe freely; as, I am out of breath.
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3. The power of respiration, and hence, life. --Hood.
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Thou takest away their breath, they die. --Ps. civ.
29.
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4. Time to breathe; respite; pause.
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Give me some breath, some little pause. --Shak.
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5. A single respiration, or the time of making it; a single
act; an instant.
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He smiles and he frowns in a breath. --Dryden.
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6. Fig.: That which gives or strengthens life.
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The earthquake voice of victory,
To thee the breath of life. --Byron.
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7. A single word; the slightest effort; a trifle.
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A breath can make them, as a breath has made.
--Goldsmith.
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8. A very slight breeze; air in gentle motion.
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Calm and unruffled as a summer's sea,
when not a breath of wind flies o'er its surface.
--Addison.
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9. Fragrance; exhalation; odor; perfume. --Tennison.
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The breath of flowers. --Bacon.
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10. Gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration.
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An after dinner's breath. --Shak.
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Out of breath, breathless, exhausted; breathing with
difficulty.
Under one's breath, in low tones.
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