smooth breathing


noun

a symbol (') used in the writing of Greek to indicate that the initial vowel over which it is placed is unaspirated.
Compare rough breathing.

Origin of smooth breathing

First recorded in 1740–50

British Dictionary definitions for smooth breathing

smooth breathing

noun

(in Greek) the sign (᾿) placed over an initial vowel, indicating that (in ancient Greek) it was not pronounced with an h Compare rough breathing