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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