aspīrātĭo (adsp-), ōnis, f. [aspiro].
I In gen.
A Lit., a blowing or breathing to or upon : animantes adspiratione aëris sustinentur, by the blowing or breathing of the air (not by respiration , as it is commonly rendered), Cic. N. D. 2, 33, 83: ventorum, Lact. 7, 3 fin. —
B Trop.: superni numinis, favor , Amm. 15, 2.—Hence,
II Esp.
A Evaporation , exhalation : quae omnia fiunt et ex caeli varietate et ex disparili adspiratione terrarum, Cic. Div. 1, 36, 79; 1, 57, 130.—
B In gram., the enunciation of a word with an h sound , a breathing , aspiration : ita majores locutos esse, ut nusquam nisi in vocali aspiratione uterentur, Cic. Or. 48, 160: per aspirationem apud nos potest quaeri, an in scripto sit vitium, si h littera est, non nota, Quint. 1, 5, 19; 1, 4, 9 Spald.; 1, 6, 21; 6, 3, 55 al.; cf. Apul. de Nota Aspirat. Osann.—Hence meton., the aspirate , i.e. the letter H itself , Prisc. p. 547; 1038 al.; Phoc. Aspir. p. 1721 sq. P.