Unbreathing

ppl. a. [UN-¹ 10.]

  1.  Not breathing or respiring; esp. holding the breath; breathless.

1709.  Rowe’s Shaksp., Rich. III., III. vii. 25. Like dumb statues or unbreathing stones.

1736.  A. Hill, Zara, V. i. Th’ unbreathing World is hush’d, as if it heard, And listen’d to, your Sorrows.

1789.  E. Darwin, Bot. Gard., II. (1791), 53. Silent with upturned eyes unbreathing crowds Pursue the floating wonder to the clouds.

1814.  Wordsw., Excurs., IV. 1281. Hushed As the unbreathing air, when not a leaf Stirs in the mighty woods.

1824.  Galt, Rothelan, III. 237. The audience sat in silent admiration and unbreathing astonishment.

a. 1867.  Willis, Lazarus & Mary, 68. A fearful and unbreathing hush, Stiller than night’s last hour.

  2.  Not taking breath; continuous.

1893.  Scribner’s Mag., June, 821/1. It is neither recital, analysis, nor exposition; but soaring, sweeping, unbreathing rhapsody.