soupir

sigh

noun soo-PEER Rare

Origin: Latin suspirare (to breathe deeply)

Usage Note

soupir denotes a long audible breath expressing emotion; pousser un soupir (to heave a sigh) is the standard verb phrase. In music, soupir is also the old French term for a quarter rest, showing the word's breath-related imagery.

Examples

"Elle a poussé un grand soupir de soulagement."

Natural Translation

She heaved a great sigh of relief.

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