underbreath

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English

Etymology

From under- +‎ breath.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (US):(file)

Adverb

underbreath (comparative more underbreath, superlative most underbreath)

  1. Under one's breath; inaudibly or in a barely audible manner.
    • 1978, The William and Mary Review - Volumes 17-18, page 66:
      Muttering curses underbreath, he jabs the beast sharply with his training stick ; the elephant is hairy and it, like the clown, is ignoble.
    • 2004, John Oros Sentesi, Swanson, →ISBN:
      The name, Night Stalker, seemed to find favor with Bo who repeated it underbreath several times.
    • 2013, R. F. Fortune, Sorcerers of Dobu, →ISBN:
      Here, on the contrary, we murmur underbreath.

Adjective

underbreath (comparative more underbreath, superlative most underbreath)

  1. Vocalized under one's breath.
    • 1886, Wide Awake - Volume 22, page 102:
      Aleck gave a low, underbreath whistle.
    • 2011, George Truett Moore, The Slave: An Incredible Journey, →ISBN:
      No one laughed out loud, but the smiles and underbreath chuckles added to their discomfort.
    • 2012, Sheila L. Ramsey, Quest For A Gentleman: Sins of the First Freedom, →ISBN:
      I got underbreath compliments from people in reference to my singing, but none of them wanted to know me.

Noun

underbreath (plural underbreaths)

  1. An utterance made so as not to be heard by most people in the area.
    • 1845, Prayers for private persons, with reflections, page 105:
      The underbreath of our every prayer should be, “Father, not my will, but thine be done”
    • 1887, George Meredith, Sandra Belloni: Originally, Emilia in England:
      He complained in occasional underbreaths, correcting himself immediately with a " No, no !" and blinking briskly.
    • 1914, Charles McEvoy, Private Affairs, page 265:
      "Miss Barnard," he said, hurriedly, and in an underbreath. "This has been an unfortunate thing — these words over this play. I want to be able just to speak to you about it. Can I see you somewhere? Could you come into the garden? "
    • 1988, Judith McNaught, Something Wonderful, →ISBN, page 64:
      Alexandra asked in an underbreath as Ramsey turned and started down the hall.

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