apnea

apnea, breath-holding

noun ap-NEH-ah Rare

Origin: From Greek 'apnoia' (breathlessness), from 'a-' (without) + 'pnoē' (breath).

Usage Note

Apnea in Italian is used both medically (as in apnea notturna, sleep apnea) and in the context of freediving: immergersi in apnea means to dive while holding one's breath, without scuba equipment. The phrase in apnea is a common fixed expression meaning 'while holding one's breath' or, figuratively, 'under breathless tension'.

Examples

"Si allena per nuotare in apnea."

Natural Translation

He trains to swim in apnea.

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