Expire

Pronunciation

• IPA: /É›k'spaɪ.É™r/
• Rhymes: -aɪə(r)

Origin

From Middle French expirer, from Latin ex- ("out") + spīro ("breathe, be alive")

Full definition of expire

Verb

1. (intransitive) to dieThe patient expired in hospital.
2. (intransitive) to become invalidMy library card will expire next week.
3. (intransitive) to exhale; to breathe (out).
• HarveyAnatomy exhibits the lungs in a continual motion of inspiring and expiring air.
• DrydenThis chafed the boar; his nostrils flames expire.
4. (transitive) to exhale (something).
• 1843, Loring Dudley ChapinAnimals expire carbon and plants inspire it; plants expire oxygen and animals inspire it.
5. (transitive) To give forth insensibly or gently, as a fluid or vapour; to emit in minute particles.
• Francis Baconthe expiring of cold out of the inward parts of the earth in winter
6. (transitive) To bring to a close; to terminate.
• ShakespeareExpire the term
  Of a despised life.

Synonyms

• (to die) See also

Antonyms

• (to exhale) inspire

Derived terms

• expiration
• expiree

Related terms

• inspire
• respiration
• respire
• spirit

Anagrams

• prexie