breast
breast
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "breast" is:
/brɛst/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
br: Voiced bilabial stop /b/ followed by a voiced alveolar approximant /r/
ɛ: Mid front vowel /ɛ/ (like the "e" in "bet")
st: Voiceless alveolar fricative /s/ followed by a voiceless alveolar plosive /t/
Word Form Variations
The word "breast" has the following word form variations:
Singular: breast
Plural: breasts
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: A mammary gland in female mammals, often associated with lactation and nourishment of offspring.
Synonyms: bosom, chest, mammary gland
Antonyms: (not directly applicable)
Verb: (archaic or poetic)
Definition: To caress or fondle the breasts.
Synonyms: fondle, caress
Antonyms: ignore, neglect
Examples of Use
Literature and Poetry
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë: "Her eyes filled with tears, and she pressed my hand to her breast."
Sonnet 130 by William Shakespeare: "My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun; / Coral is far more red than her lips' red; / If snow be white, why then1 her breasts are dun;"
Medical and Scientific Context
Medical Journals: "Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide." (National Cancer Institute)
Health News Articles: "Regular breast self-exams can help detect early signs of breast cancer." (WebMD)
General Public Discourse
Everyday Conversation: "She was breastfeeding her baby."
Social Media: "Breast cancer awareness month is important." (Twitter)
Entertainment Media
Movies: In many films, the female form, including breasts, is often depicted, sometimes in a sexualized manner.
Music: Songs often reference breasts, either metaphorically or explicitly, in lyrics. For instance, the song "Big Boobs" by the Lonely Island is a comedic example.
Television: TV shows, especially those with mature themes, often include scenes involving breasts, whether in a dramatic, comedic, or sexual context.
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Breast
"A woman's breast is the door to her heart, the window to her soul." – Unknown
"The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world, and the breast that nourishes shapes its future." – (Original quote)
"Let each man pass his days in that wherein his skill is greatest, be it the sword or the breast of mercy." – Homer, The Iliad
"She wore her heart upon her breast, bold and unafraid." – (Original quote)
"In every man's breast, there beats a hope for something greater." – Charles Dickens (paraphrased)
"The breast of a mother is the first comfort known to man." – (Original quote)
"Courage rises in the breast of the one who fears, yet fights on." – (Original quote)
"No metal on a man’s breast shines brighter than the honor in his heart." – (Original quote)
"Truth, like a flame, must be held close to the breast and guarded well." – (Original quote)
"A sigh is the whisper of the heart, escaping from the breast." – Lord Byron.
Etymology
The word "breast" has a long history. It comes from an old English word, "brēost," which dates back to even older Germanic languages. These languages, in turn, trace the word's origins to the Proto-Indo-European language, a very old language that many modern languages are related to.
The Proto-Indo-European root, "bhreus-," means "to swell" or "to sprout." This makes sense when you think about how breasts grow and change, especially in women. The first known use of the word "breast" was in Old English, and it referred to the chest or bosom, including the mammary glands.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Breast
Due to the sensitive nature of the word "breast," it's often used metaphorically or in less explicit contexts in common phrases and idioms. Here are some examples:
Make a clean breast of it: This means to confess fully and honestly about something.
Beat your breast: This refers to expressing remorse or grief in a dramatic or exaggerated way.
"The heart has its reasons which reason knows not of." (Blaise Pascal) - This quote metaphorically refers to emotions and intuition, often symbolized by the heart and chest area.
"A woman's heart is a deep ocean of secrets." (Unknown) - Another metaphorical use, linking the depths of a woman's emotions to the ocean.
"The breast of the earth is a vast womb." (D.H. Lawrence) - A poetic description of nature, likening the earth to a nurturing mother.
While there aren't many common phrases and idioms that directly use the word "breast," these examples demonstrate the metaphorical and symbolic power of the word in language.
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Source Information
Definition of breast from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
