c.1400, "to die," from Middle French expirer (12c.) "expire, elapse," from Latin expirare/exspirare "breathe out, breathe one's last, die," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + spirare "to breathe" (see spirit). "Die" is the older sense in English; that of "breathe out" is first attested 1580s. Of laws, patents, treaties, etc., mid-15c. Related: Expired; expiring.
Or if some victim must expire, strike here, and I will thank thee.
The corporal's leave did not expire till the evening of the following day.
He was hunted like a wild beast, till ready to expire with fatigue.
Rosseter's lease of the building was to expire in the following year.
Mr. Adams's term of service in the Senate was to expire on March 3, 1809.
In one short year your articles will expire, and you will become a free agent.
The revenue Acts were, one after the other, suffered to expire.
They would languish from this day, and might expire even in their cradle.
Another word, mademoiselle, in that strain, and you will see me expire at your feet.
At length his candle, which had burned low, was about to expire.