Also 6 spiracyon, -atione. [ad. L. spīrātiōn-, spīrātio, n. of action f. spīrāre to breathe. So OF. (e)spiracion, F. spiration, It. spirazione, Sp. espiracion.]
1. Theol. † a. The action of breathing as a creative or life-giving function of the Deity. Obs.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 217 b. Job sayth, the spiryt of god hath made me & the spiracyon of the almyghty hath gyuen me lyfe.
1649. J. Ellistone, trans. Behmen’s Epist., 84. Man, who with his soule … is couched in the eternall Spiration [or generation] of the Divine power.
a. 1677. Barrow, Serm. (1686), II. 490. To other substances of this kind it seemeth also assigned…; because God did by a kind of spiration produce them.
1708. Dodwell, Nat. Mort. Hum. Souls, 23. As the πνοὴ, or Flatus, is by the Fathers supposed to continue so long, and no longer, than the Act of Spiration, or Flation, lasts.
1765. Law, trans. Behmen’s Myst. Magn., I. vii. This Egress from the Will in the Speaking or Spiration is the Spirit of the Deity.
b. The special action to which the origin of the Holy Ghost is assigned.
1602. J. Davies (Heref.), Mirum in Modum (Grosart), 17/1. Fatherhood, breathing, or Spiration, Son-hood, Procession.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., s.v., The Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father, and the Son,… produced through the will by an ineffable way, and this Divines term Spiration.
1699. Burnet, 39 Art., v. 69. The Word Procession, or as the Schoolmen term it, Spiration, is only made use of in order to the naming this Relation of the Spirit to the Father and Son.
1829. J. Donovan, trans. Catech. Counc. Trent (1855), 83. As on the production of the third Person is imposed no proper name, but it is called spiration and procession.
1898. W. Adamson, J. Morison, 42. The doctrines of the eternal generation of the Son and the eternal spiration of the Spirit.
† 2. The action of breathing or drawing breath in man and animals. Obs.
1568. Skeyne, The Pest (1860), 28. Cohibite also spiratione, to eschew occasioun of new corruptioun.
1594. R. Ashley, trans. Loys le Roy, 57 b. The variable aire, sustayning with spiration and respiration all liuing creatures.
1615. Crooke, Body of Man, 421. The spiration or breathing of colde is verie necessary for the preseruation of naturall heate.
1673–4. Grew, Anat. Pl., Anat. Trunks (1682), 117. Even as in Animals, there are divers Kinds of Organs for Spiration.
† 3. An inspiration; a spiritual influence. Obs.
1628. Jackson, Creed, VI. xi. Wks. 1844, V. 131. Such as … boisterously counterblast the sweet and placid spirations of celestial influence.
1686. Horneck, Crucif. Jesus, xxvi. 846. Some other spirations, and breathings of the soul after God.
