under one's breath
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
1.Below or lower, in place or position, with the idea of being covered; lower than; beneath; -- opposed to over; as, he stood under a tree; the carriage is under cover; a cellar extends under the whole house. [1913 Webster]
Fruit put in bottles, and the bottles let down into wells under water, will keep long.— Bacon.[1913 Webster]
Be gathered now, ye waters under heaven, Into one place.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
2.Hence, in many figurative uses which may be classified as follows; [1913 Webster] (a) Denoting relation to some thing or person that is superior, weighs upon, oppresses, bows down, governs, directs, influences powerfully, or the like, in a relation of subjection, subordination, obligation, liability, or the like; as, to travel under a heavy load; to live under extreme oppression; to have fortitude under the evils of life; to have patience under pain, or under misfortunes; to behave like a Christian under reproaches and injuries; under the pains and penalties of the law; the condition under which one enters upon an office; under the necessity of obeying the laws; under vows of chastity. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]
Both Jews and Gentiles . . . are all under sin.— Rom. iii. 9.[1913 Webster]
That led the embattled seraphim to war Under thy conduct.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
Who have their provand Only for bearing burdens, and sore blows For sinking under them. --Shak. [1913 Webster] (b) Denoting relation to something that exceeds in rank or degree, in number, size, weight, age, or the like; in a relation of the less to the greater, of inferiority, or of falling short. [1913 Webster]
Three sons he dying left under age.— Spenser.[1913 Webster]
Medicines take effect sometimes under, and sometimes above, the natural proportion of their virtue.— Hooker.[1913 Webster]
There are several hundred parishes in England under twenty pounds a year.— Swift.[1913 Webster]
It was too great an honor for any man under a duke.— Addison.[1913 Webster]
Note: Hence, it sometimes means at, with, or for, less than; as, he would not sell the horse under sixty dollars. [1913 Webster]
Several young men could never leave the pulpit under half a dozen conceits. --Swift. [1913 Webster] (c) Denoting relation to something that comprehends or includes, that represents or designates, that furnishes a cover, pretext, pretense, or the like; as, he betrayed him under the guise of friendship; Morpheus is represented under the figure of a boy asleep. [1913 Webster]
A crew who, under names of old renown . . . abused Fanatic Egypt.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
Mr. Duke may be mentioned under the double capacity of a poet and a divine.— Felton.[1913 Webster]
Under this head may come in the several contests and wars betwixt popes and the secular princes. --C. Leslie. [1913 Webster] (d) Less specifically, denoting the relation of being subject, of undergoing regard, treatment, or the like; as, a bill under discussion. [1913 Webster]
Abject and lost, lay these, covering the flood, Under amazement of their hideous change.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
Under arms. (Mil.) (a) Drawn up fully armed and equipped. (b) Enrolled for military service; as, the state has a million men under arms.
Under canvas. (a) (Naut.) Moved or propelled by sails; -- said of any vessel with her sail set, but especially of a steamer using her sails only, as distinguished from one under steam. Under steam and canvas signifies that a vessel is using both means of propulsion. (b) (Mil.) Provided with, or sheltered in, tents.
Under fire, exposed to an enemy's fire; taking part in a battle or general engagement.
Under foot. See under Foot, n.
Under ground, below the surface of the ground.
Under one's signature, with one's signature or name subscribed; attested or confirmed by one's signature. Cf. the second Note under Over, prep.
Under sail. (Naut.) (a) With anchor up, and under the influence of sails; moved by sails; in motion. (b) With sails set, though the anchor is down. (c) Same as Under canvas (a), above. --Totten.
Under sentence, having had one's sentence pronounced.
Under the breath, Under one's breath, with low voice; very softly.
Under the lee (Naut.), to the leeward; as, under the lee of the land.
Under the gun. Under psychological pressure, such as the need to meet a pressing deadline; feeling pressured
Under water, below the surface of the water.
Under way, or Under weigh (Naut.), in a condition to make progress; having started. [1913 Webster]
1.The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration; air which, in the process of respiration, has parted with oxygen and has received carbonic acid, aqueous vapor, warmth, etc. [1913 Webster]
Melted as breath into the wind.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
2.The act of breathing naturally or freely; the power or capacity to breathe freely; as, I am out of breath. [1913 Webster]
3.The power of respiration, and hence, life. --Hood. [1913 Webster]
Thou takest away their breath, they die.— Ps. civ. 29.[1913 Webster]
4.Time to breathe; respite; pause. [1913 Webster]
Give me some breath, some little pause.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
5.A single respiration, or the time of making it; a single act; an instant. [1913 Webster]
He smiles and he frowns in a breath.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]
6.Fig.: That which gives or strengthens life. [1913 Webster]
The earthquake voice of victory, To thee the breath of life.— Byron.[1913 Webster]
7.A single word; the slightest effort; a trifle. [1913 Webster]
A breath can make them, as a breath has made.— Goldsmith.[1913 Webster]
8.A very slight breeze; air in gentle motion. [1913 Webster]
Calm and unruffled as a summer's sea, when not a breath of wind flies o'er its surface.— Addison.[1913 Webster]
9.Fragrance; exhalation; odor; perfume. --Tennison. [1913 Webster]
The breath of flowers.— Bacon.[1913 Webster]
10.Gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration. [1913 Webster]
An after dinner's breath.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
Out of breath, breathless, exhausted; breathing with difficulty.
Under one's breath, in low tones. [1913 Webster]