easy-breathing
|ea-sy-breath-ing|
/ˈiːzi ˈbriːðɪŋ/
allowing easy breathing
Etymology
'easy-breathing' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'easy' and 'breathing'. 'easy' comes from Old English 'ēaðe' meaning 'easily', and 'breathing' comes from the verb 'breathe' (Old English 'brēathan' / 'brǣþan') meaning 'to respire'.
'easy' developed from Old English 'ēaðe' into Middle English 'easie'/'esay' and then the modern form 'easy'. 'breathe' (Old English 'brēathan') produced the noun/participle form 'breathing', and the compound 'easy-breathing' formed in modern usage to describe respiration that is not labored.
Initially the parts meant 'easily' and 'to breathe'; over time the compound came to be used as an adjectival or nominal phrase meaning 'allowing or characterized by easy breathing' in clinical and general descriptions.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or condition of breathing easily (used especially in medical or descriptive contexts).
After treatment, easy-breathing returned and the baby's color improved.
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Adjective 1
allowing or characterized by easy, unlabored breathing; not causing breathlessness.
After the bronchodilator, the patient was easy-breathing and could speak in full sentences.
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Last updated: 2025/09/07 13:55