inhalation

plural inhalations

1. countableuncountableThe act of inhaling; inbreathing.

   On Ickerson's part, with the help of "a few post-jentacular inhalations," as he in his colossal manner was pleased to phrase it, "from that fragrant weed which so propitiates clearness of thought, and tends to promote equanimity in action."

   1860 May, George Cupples, “Loch-Na-Diomhair—The Lake of the Secret. A Highland Flight.”, in David Masson, editor, Macmillan’s Magazine, volume II, number 7, London: Macmillan and Co. […], →OCLC, section I (How We Set Out for It—Ickerson and I), page 22, column 1

   2 more examples

   The girl stooped to pluck a rose, and as she bent over it, her profile was clearly outlined. She held the flower to her face with a long-drawn inhalation, then went up the steps, crossed the piazza, opened the door without knocking, and entered the house with the air of one thoroughly at home.

   1900, Charles W[addell] Chesnutt, chapter I, in The House Behind the Cedars, Boston, Mass.; New York, N.Y.: Houghton, Mifflin and Company […], →OCLC

   The Invisible Killer Dihydrogen monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and kills uncounted thousands of people every year. Most of these deaths are caused by accidental inhalation of DHMO, but the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide do not end there.

   1995, John December, quoting Craig Jackson, The World Wide Web Unleashed, 2nd edition, Indianapolis, Ind.: Sams.net, →ISBN, page 450

2. countableuncountableThe substance (medicament) which is inhaled.