a. [f. BREATH + -LESS.]
1. Without breath: a. Without respiration.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., V. xxiv. (1495), 134. A beest maye not wythout peryll be bretheles by longe space.
1675. Hobbes, Odyss. (1677), 66. Speechless and breathless was he, like one dead.
1766. Chalkley, Wks., 250. I had a Fit of the Phthysick, and was at Times almost breathless.
b. Lifeless, dead. (L. exanimatus).
1595. Shaks., John, IV. iii. 66. Kneeling before this ruin of sweete life, And breathing to his breathlesse Excellence The Incense of a Vow.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Eclog., V. 27. The Nymphs about the breathless Body wait.
1708. J. Phillips, Cyder, I. 25. Guard each row With the false terrors of a breathless kite.
a. 1819. J. Hogg, Flodden F., xiii. The fated arrow Breathless left the royal hero.
† c. Gram. Unaspirated. Obs.
1668. Wilkins, Real Char., 379. [Dentals] Such as are Breathless: Sonorous D, mute T.; Breathing … Dh, Th.
2. Breathing with difficulty, panting (as a result of swift running or violent exercise); out of breath, exhausted, spent. Also transf. and fig.
c. 1450. Merlin, xviii. 299. She was so hoorse and so brethles that on hire feet myght she not stonde.
1591. Spenser, M. Hubberd, 1374. He fled All breathles.
1597. Bp. Hall, Sat., I. vi. (R.). The lingring Spondees, labouring to delay The breathlesse Dactiles, with a sudden stay.
1709. Tatler, No. 43, ¶ 7. Breathless almost, and spent in the eager Chace.
1851. Longf., Gold. Leg., IV. (Nunnery) How I remember that breathless flight.
b. Holding one’s breath, as with awe, expectation, excitement.
1802. Wordsw., Sonn. ‘It is a beauteous Evening,’ 3. The holy time is quiet as a nun Breathless with adoration.
1823. Lamb, Elia, Ser. I. xv. (1865), 121. With a breathless impatience of recognition.
1850. Alison, Hist. Europe, VIII. liii. 397. Europe, in breathless suspense, awaited the issue.
3. Unstirred by a breath of wind.
1815. Wordsw., Evening Volunt., vi. The Mere Seems firm as solid crystal, breathless, clear, And motionless.
1881. Miss Braddon, Asph., I. 238. Blue skies and sunny noontides … without the baking heat and the breathless atmosphere.
