• (n.) Partial privation or suspension of breath; suffocation.
cessation of breathing.
<clinical sign> Cessation of breathing. ... (18 Nov 1997) ... 
Absence of breathing
apnea, apnoea 1. Temporary stopping of breathing that occurs in some newborns and in some adults during sleep. 2. Asphyxia. 3. In zoology, a temporary suspension of breathing in hibernating animals.
A pause in breathing. 'Apnoeic attacks' are short spurts in which breathing is interrupted. These episodes usually repeat themselves. 
A pause in breathing; conventionally more than 10 seconds. From the Greek a (without) ponea (breath).
a possibly life-threatening condition in which breathing stops, for either a short or long period of time 
A pause or temporary stopping of breathing often seen in premature or sick newborns.