suspire etymology

Etymology and Origin of "Suspire"

The word "suspire" is derived from the Latin word "suspirare," which itself is composed of two components:

  • "Sub-" (under, below)
  • "-spirare" (to breathe)

Thus, "suspirare" literally means "to breathe from below."

Meaning

"Suspire" has several related meanings:

  • To sigh: To exhale deeply and audibly, often expressing sorrow, relief, or longing.
  • To breathe lightly: To inhale or exhale gently and quietly.
  • To utter a soft sound: To make a gentle, whispering noise, such as a whisper or a sigh.
  • Figuratively: To long for or yearn for something.

Usage

The word "suspire" is typically used in a literary or poetic context to describe a gentle, emotional breath or a longing for something. It is often used to evoke a sense of sadness, longing, or deep emotion.

Examples:

  • "She sighed a sigh of relief as the danger passed."
  • "The wind whispered softly, as if suspiring in the grass."
  • "His heart suspired for the days of his youth."
  • "The scent of roses filled the air, making me suspire with longing."

suspire relate terms

  • spirit

    Etymology The word spirit is derived from the Latin word spiritus which means breat

  • conspire

    Etymology The word conspire comes from the Latin word conspirare which means to br

  • expire

    Etymology From Latin expirāre to breathe out die frequentative of exspīrāre to

  • inspire

    Etymology From Middle English insipyre from Anglo Norman French inspirer from Latin i

  • ghost

    Etymology Old English gāst ultimately derived from Proto Germanic gaistaz Cognate wi

  • spiritualism

    Etymology Spiritualism comes from the Latin words spiritus meaning breath or spiri

  • soul

    Etymology The word soul traces its origins to the Proto Indo European root h₂enh₂

  • suspiral

    Etymology Latin susurrus whispering Proto Indo European s wér to sound speak

  • suspire

    Etymology and Origin of Suspire The word suspire is derived from the Latin word susp

  • sigh

    Etymology The word sigh comes from the Middle English word siken which evolved from

  • yawn

    Etymology Proto Germanic gīnaną Old English gīnan Middle English yenen Modern Engl

  • hiccup

    Etymology Middle English hiccup from Old English hicce Proto Germanic hikkō Proto

  • reprise

    Etymology Reprise from the French reprendre to take again Latin reprendere

  • choke

    Etymology The word choke has a complex etymological history originating from multiple

  • expire

    Etymology From Latin expirāre to breathe out die frequentative of exspīrāre to

  • inspire

    Etymology From Middle English insipyre from Anglo Norman French inspirer from Latin i

  • Norse

    Etymology Old Norse Norðr north Proto Norse Norðraz people of the north M

  • take

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It seeks to trace t

  • breath

    Etymology The word breath comes from the Old English word bræþ which is derived fr