Pronunciation: [lˈast bɹˈɛθ] (IPA) 
The phrase "last breath" refers to the final exhalation of air from someone's lungs when they die. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled /læst breθ/. The "a" in "last" is pronounced as the short "a" sound, while the "e" in "breath" is pronounced as the voiced "th" sound. Even though the spelling of the word "breath" includes the letter "a" after the letter "e", the actual pronunciation sounds more like the word "beth".
The term "last breath" refers to the final exhalation of breath taken by an individual just before their demise, marking the very moment of their death. This phrase encapsulates the notion of the final act of breath-giving, implying that it carries a significant weight and symbolizes the crossing between life and death.
The concept of the "last breath" often carries a profound emotional and symbolic significance in different cultures and traditions. It can be seen as the ultimate transition, representing the moment when life departs from the body, leaving behind a deceased individual. This phrase can be found in various religious and spiritual practices, where the last breath is believed to be a holy or sacred moment, signifying the release of the soul from the mortal realm.
Figuratively, the expression "last breath" is also used in a metaphorical sense to depict a final moment, action, or effort before the end of something, such as the conclusion of a project, a career, or a relationship. It conveys the idea of giving all one has until the very end, indicating an exhausted state or the final moment of existence in a specific context.
In essence, "last breath" encompasses both the literal and metaphorical meanings associated with the final exhalation of breath, signifying the moment of death or the concluding stages of a situation. Its connotations are laden with emotive and symbolic significance, representing the end of life or a definitive ending in a broader sense.
The word "last breath" is composed of two separate words, "last" and "breath", each with their own etymology.
1. "Last":
The word "last" originated from the Old English word "laest", which means "enduring, eternal". It is related to the Old Frisian word "lest", the Dutch word "laatst", and the German word "letzt", all of which signify "last, latest". The Old English word can be traced back to the Gothic word "laists" and the Old Norse word "latr", both meaning "sluggish, lazy".
Over time, the word "last" came to represent the final or ultimate stage of something, hence leading to its association with the "end", as in the phrase "last breath".
