underbreath
English edit
Etymology edit
Adverb edit
underbreath (comparative more underbreath, superlative most underbreath)
- 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 edit
underbreath (comparative more underbreath, superlative most underbreath)
- 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 edit
underbreath (plural underbreaths)
- 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.