Search the Dictionary

An inflammation of the pleura, usually accompanied with fever, pain, difficult respiration, and cough, and with exudation into the pleural cavity. Pleurisy root. (Bot.) (a) The large tuberous root of a kind of milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) which is used as a remedy for pleuritic and other diseases. (b) The plant itself…

A combining form from Gr. wind, air, breath, respiration; as, pneumatograph, pneumatology.

An instrument for recording the movements of the thorax or chest wall during respiration; -- also called stethograph.

An instrument for measuring the amount of force exerted by the lungs in respiration.

One of the minute orifices in an animal or vegetable membrane, for transpiration, absorption, etc.

An apparatus for producing artificial respiration by pumping oxygen or air or a mixture of the two into and out of the lungs, as of a person who has been asphyxiated by drowning, breathing poisonous gases, or the like, or of one who has been stunned by an electrical shock.

Suitable for being breathed; adapted for respiration. -- Re*spir"a*ble*ness, n.

Of or pertaining to respiration; as, respirative organs.

Of or pertaining to respiration; serving for respiration; as, the respiratory organs; respiratory nerves; the respiratory function; respiratory changes. Respiratory foods. (Physiol.) See 2d Note under Food, n., 1. -- Respiratory tree (Zoöl.), the branched internal gill of certain holothurians.

be; a cutting jest. The sarcasms of those critics who imagine our art to be a matter of inspiration. Sir J. Reynolds.

Having short-breath, or quick respiration.

Affected with shortness of breath; having a quick, difficult respiration, as dyspnoic and asthmatic persons. May.

ger quantity of air than usual, and immediately expel it; to make a deep single audible respiration, especially as the result or involuntary expression of fatigue, exhaustion, grief, sorrow, or the like.

The act of sobbing; a convulsive sigh, or inspiration of the breath, as in sorrow. Break, heart, or choke with sobs my hated breath. Dryden.

A series of short, convulsive inspirations, the glottis being suddenly closed so that little or no air enters into the lungs.

A rough breathing; an aspirate, as the letter h; also, a mark to denote aspiration; a breathing. [Obs.] Be it a letter or spirit, we have great use for it. B. Jonson.

s, or the volume of air which can be expelled from the chest after the deepest possible inspiration. Cf. Pneumatometer.

aphragm, by which expiration is preented, and hence it may be considered as a spasmodic inspiration.

air (Physiol.), the air which under ordinary circumstances does not leave the lungs in respiration. -- Stationary engine. (a) A steam engine thet is permanently placed, in distinction from a portable engine, locomotive, marine engine, etc. Specifically: (b) A factory engine, in distinction from a blowing, pumping, or…

Characterized by a deep snoring, which accompaines inspiration in some diseases, especially apoplexy; hence, hoarsely breathing; snoring. Burning, stertorous breath that hurt her cheek. Mrs. Browning. The day has ebbed away, and it is night in his room, before his stertorous breathing lulls. Dickens.…