Word Study
breather
CIDE DICTIONARY
breather, n.
- One who breathes. [1913 Webster]
- That which puts one out of breath, as violent exercise. [1913 Webster]
- a pause to catch one's breath, or for some other form of rest or refreshment; -- often used in the phrase
to take a breather, i.e. to pause for refreshment. [PJC] - a vent in a container to allow equalization of internal and external pressure. [PJC]
- an air intake pipe to provide air to machinery or people submerged or otherwise sealed off from the outside. [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
breather, n.
1 colloq. a a brief pause for rest. b a short spell of exercise.
2 a safety-vent in the crankcase of a motor vehicle etc.
1 colloq. a a brief pause for rest. b a short spell of exercise.
2 a safety-vent in the crankcase of a motor vehicle etc.
THESAURUS
breather
athletics, blow, break, breath, breathing place, breathing space, breathing spell, breathing time, calisthenics, cigarette break, cocktail hour, coffee break, constitutional, daily dozen, downtime, drill, enforced respite, exercise, exercising, gymnastic exercises, gymnastics, halt, happy hour, interlude, intermission, isometrics, letup, lull, pause, physical education, physical jerks, practice, recess, respite, rest, setting-up exercises, spell, stay, stretch, surcease, suspension, tea break, ten, time out, workout, yogaFor further exploring for "breather" in Webster Dictionary Online