broken wind
The term "broken wind" has dual meanings, referring to a respiratory condition in horses and a polite expression for flatulence in humans.
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Definition
C2Veterinary Medicine
(technical, equine)A chronic respiratory condition in horses marked by wheezing, coughing, and labored breathing.
Example
- The vet diagnosed the horse with broken wind after observing its persistent cough and difficulty breathing.
B2Everyday Language
(euphemism, informal)The polite way of describing the release of gas from the digestive system.
Example
- He excused himself from the table to avoid breaking wind in front of everyone.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "broken wind":
in the winddown the windfollow the windsplit the breezebroken birdlike the windblow downbroken fieldbetween wind and watergo with the windbroken manblow throughturn with every windbroken in