Definition of "anhelation"

anhelation

/ænhɪˈleɪʃn̩/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural anhelations
1. (uncountable, pulmonology, archaic) Breathing difficulty, shortness of breath.
  Quotations
  In a Diſpnœa, the breath is thick, vvithout noiſe or anhelation, and vvith leſs trouble.
  1655, Lazarus Riverius [i.e., Lazare Rivière], “Of Asthma, or Difficulty of Breathing”, in Nicholas Culpeper, Abdiah Cole, and William Rowland, transl., The Practice of Physick, […], London: […] Peter Cole, […], 7th book (Of the Diseases of the Breast), page 148
2. (figuratively, obsolete)
  1. (uncountable) Mental or spiritual agitation.
  2. (uncountable) Followed by after or for: eager desire; (countable) an instance of this.
    Quotations
    [T]ruſt not upon that rule, that men buy cheapeſt at the end of the market, that heaven may be had for a breath at laſt, vvhen they that hear it cannot tel vvhether it be a ſigh or a gaſp, a religious breathing and anhelation after the next life, or natural breathing out, and exhalation of this; but find a ſpiritual good husbandry in that other rule, that the prime of the market is to be had at firſt: […]
    1619 April 28, John Donne, “A Sermon of Valediction at My Going into Germany, at L[i]ncolns-Inne, April. 18. 1619. [Julian calendar] Sermon XIX.”, in XXVI. Sermons (Never before Publish’d) Preached by that Learned and Reverend Divine John Donne, […], London: […] Thomas Newcomb, […], published 1661, page 278