rēspīrātĭo, ōnis, f. [respiro].
I Lit., a breathing out , exhaling; hence, in gen., breathing , respiration , Cic. Univ. 6; Plin. 9, 7, 6, § 18; Quint. 9, 4, 67 (with spiritus); 11, 3, 39; 53; 63; Cael. Aur. Acut. 2, 3, 16; 2, 32, 167.—*
B Transf., exhalation : aquarum, Cic. N. D. 2, 10, 27.—
II Trop., a breathing in the course of an action, i. e. a taking breath , resting; an intermission , pause : in suo quisque gradu obnixi sine respiratione ac respectu pugnabant, Liv. 8, 38.—So of a pause in speaking: morae respirationesque delectant, Cic. Or. 16, 53; cf. Quint. 7, 9, 11; 11, 3, 49.