Ex·pire v. t. [imp. & p. p. Expired p. pr & vb. n. Expiring.]
1. To breathe out; to emit from the lungs; to throw out from the mouth or nostrils in the process of respiration; -- opposed to inspire.
Anatomy exhibits the lungs in a continual motion of inspiring and expiring air. --Harvey.
This chafed the boar; his nostrils flames expire. --Dryden.
2. To give forth insensibly or gently, as a fluid or vapor; to emit in minute particles; to exhale; as, the earth expires a damp vapor; plants expire odors.
The expiring of cold out of the inward parts of the earth in winter. --Bacon.
3. To emit; to give out. [Obs.]
4. To bring to a close; to terminate. [Obs.]
Expire the term
Of a despised life. --Shak.
Ex·pir·ing a.
1. Breathing out air from the lungs; emitting fluid or volatile matter; exhaling; breathing the last breath; dying; ending; terminating.
2. Pertaining to, or uttered at, the time of dying; as, expiring words; expiring groans.
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