smooth breathing

noun

1. a symbol (') used in the writing of Greek to indicate that the initial vowel over which it is placed is unaspirated.

smooth breathing

noun

1. (in Greek) the sign (᾿) placed over an initial vowel, indicating that (in ancient Greek) it was not pronounced with an h Compare rough breathing

Word History and Origins

Origin of smooth breathing¹

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

The one exception is the rough breathing before Ἀνδρασι in footnote 17, which should be a smooth breathing.

From Project Gutenberg

The Greek aspirate was itself the first or left-hand half of this letter , while the smooth breathing ’ was the right-hand portion .

From Project Gutenberg

N, the purple fragment so often spoken of already, exhibits primâ manu over certain vowels a kind of smooth breathing or slight acute accent, sometimes little larger than a point, but inserted on no intelligible principle, so far as we can see, and far oftener omitted entirely.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Ramsey, who had a rooted aversion to the letter "h," except where a smooth breathing is usual, began by saying that Christianity differed from other religions in the fact of its having an eternal 'Ell.

From Project Gutenberg

Initial ρ and υ always take the rough breathing; and double ρ in the middle of a word takes the smooth breathing on the first, and the rough on the second.

From Project Gutenberg