suspire

[ suh-spahyuhr ]

verb (used without object)

, sus·pired, sus·pir·ing.

1. to sigh.
2. to breathe.

verb (used with object)

, sus·pired, sus·pir·ing.

1. to sigh; utter with long, sighing breaths.

suspire

/ ˌsʌspɪˈreɪʃən; səˈspaɪə /

verb

1. to sigh or utter with a sigh; yearn
2. intr to breathe; respire

Derived Forms

• suspiration, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of suspire¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin suspīrāre, equivalent to su- su- + spīrāre to breathe

Word History and Origins

Origin of suspire¹

C15: from Latin suspīrāre to take a deep breath, from sub- + spīrāre to breathe

Example Sentences

I flashed back to Marilyn Monroe on another May night in Gotham, doing similar mincing steps in a similar shimmering dress she was sewn into, when she suspired “Happy Birthday” to J.F.K.

From New York Times

But at four o'clock there was a rim, A circled edge of rainbow color Which suspired, widened and narrowed under your gaze: It was the phantasy of straining eyes, Or land—and it was land.

From Project Gutenberg

Now the New Year reviving old Desires, The Artist poor to Calendars aspires, But of the Stuff the Publisher puts out Most in the Paper Basket soon suspires.

From Project Gutenberg

As he jumped, the girl, Alexa, started, and a cry escaped her parted lips; it was a sigh rather than an exclamation, the voice of a crushed flower suspiring its last vital breath.

From Project Gutenberg

"But times are bad!" he would suspire in moments of depression.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cry
• exhale
• gasp
• groan
• howl
• moan
• murmur
• sob
• whisper
• whistle