Definition of breathlessly

The word "breathlessly" has its roots in the 17th century. It is a adverbial form of the adjective "breathless", which means being so excited or agitated that one cannot breathe normally. The word "breathless" is derived from the Old English words "bregdan" (to breathe) and "læss" (without). The earliest recorded use of the word "breathlessly" is in the year 1664, in the book "The Fancies" by Nicholas Breton. In the 18th century, the word began to be used more frequently, especially in literary and poetic contexts, to describe intense emotions such as love, excitement, or fear. Over time, the word has retained its original meaning and is commonly used to describe situations where someone is consumed by strong emotions, often to the point of being overwhelmed.