breatharian noun [C]
UK /breθ.ˈeə.ri.ən/ US /breθ.ˈer.i.ən/
someone who believes that by doing a special type of breathing exercise they can get all the nutrients they need from air and do not have to eat solid food
Audra Bear identifies as a breatharian and claims she fasts for up to 97 days because food gets in the way of her enjoyment of life. Despite the dangers and lack of any scientific backing whatsoever that it works, Audra, 25, insists that it is good for her. She has tried various diets over the years including being a vegan then a raw vegan for four years before taking on so-called pranic living and breatharianism.
[Metro, 28 June 2019]
TRE noun [plural]
/ˌtiːɑːrˈiː/
abbreviation for tension and trauma releasing exercises: a relaxation technique that encourages the muscles in your body to shake and get rid of the tension in your body caused by stress
TRE was originally developed to help people affected by war in the Middle East and north Africa. It has been used to aid earthquake survivors in China and returning soldiers in the US. Now workshops that teach the process are popping up all over the world, from South Africa to Stockholm.
[The Times, 17 August 2019]
ear seeds noun [plural]
UK /ˈɪə.siːdz/ US /ˈɪr.siːdz/
very small balls made of silver or gold that are stuck on to different parts of the ear and are said to treat various illnesses and to encourage relaxation and well-being
Rooted in the world of acupuncture … ear seeds involve no pin pricks or clinics. Instead, the tiny seeds can be planted at home and are claimed to help with issues from stress to jet lag, while boosting your mood and instilling a sense of calm.
[Evening Standard, 8 July 2019]
Hello, I could not find a “contact us” link, so I am posting here. My question does have something to do with breatharians, however!
There is a mindfulness app called “Calm” and they often use the words “inhale” and “exhale” as nouns. In my feedback I have told them that these are verbs, as confirmed by your web-based lexicon, and that the proper nouns are “inhalation” and “exhalation.” They continue, e.g. “on each inhale and exhale count slowly to five.”
I understand that our language is constantly evolving, and that the persistence of use is what dictates change. However, I just wanted to ask your opinion. Are these words are listed as nouns in your larger, print-based lexicon?
Hello and many thanks for your interesting question.
There is still very little evidence for the use of “inhale” and “exhale” as nouns, therefore you won’t find it in our print or online dictionary. As ever, we will keep an eye on these words to see if the noun form becomes more widely used.
Best wishes
The Cambridge Dictionary team
In my opinion, ‘exhale’ and ‘inhale’ can be used both as verb as well as noun. As noun these words are more fluent and understandable than cumbersome ‘exhalation’ and ‘inhalation’.
Perhaps the use of inhale and exhale as nouns will die out with the breatharians who don’t know their nouns from their verbs. One can’t predict that they will have a long life. In any case there is already a word for organisms that get their nutrients from the air – epiphytes.
What the frick??? Why people become so stupid that some of them become Breath-airian???
Breatharian sounds more like a mental health condition, like if someone invented a specific word for the belief that thoughts could be projected through walls, other than the general word ‘delusion’.
Breatharian is an old joke… there isn’t much use in adding in a joke in the dictionary (especially since the definition is more derisive, such as if you call someone a breatharian you’d be accusing them of being malnourished or claiming they’re anorexic.)