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. See rough breathing
   (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