This verb captures the physical and emotional experience of fainting, losing courage, or becoming so exhausted that one can barely breathe. Homer uses it for warriors fainting in battle, while later usage includes breathing out one's life (dying) or being so chilled or fatigued that strength fails. The active sense involves breathing out or expiring, while the passive suggests being overcome by faintness. Luke employs it in an apocalyptic context, describing people fainting from fear at the approach of cosmic upheaval.