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in·hale

(ĭn-hāl)

v. in·haled, in·hal·ing, in·hales

v.tr.

1. To draw (air or smoke, for example) into the lungs by breathing; inspire.

2. Informal To consume rapidly or eagerly; devour: inhaled lunch and then rushed off to the meeting.

v.intr.

1. To breathe in; inspire.

2. To draw smoke into the lungs; puff.

[Latin inhālāre, to breathe upon (meaning influenced by contrast with EXHALE) : in-, in; see IN-² + hālāre, to breathe.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices