sigh
A sigh is an innate passion of the soul arising out of a suspension of the mind. Or: a sigh is a remarkable inspiration accompanied by a vehement suspension of the mind. Or: a sigh is a vehement passion of the mind arising out of extreme meditation. Or: a sigh is a sudden and unexpected utterance of the mind resulting from the plight of the soul. But a sigh derives its name from the suspension of the mind (suspiritus < suspensio spirituum), since, when the soul relates to memory the happiness it once had or the immensity of its grief, or the immeasurably joy, or the contrary, or troubles to come, the mind is suspended, because the heart is fettered by the fact that the soul forgets its operative capacity. Thus, when the heart gradually begins to dilate again, the mind returns to its original state, and from this very return a certain sound arises, which is called a sigh. But, in fact, there are very many who sigh out of bad manners or illness. Women, however, sometimes sigh in order to deceive lovers; for they, too, are frequently deluded by sighs.

Sighs, then, in a larger sense, can be understood as a nod, an indication, and a signal. Moreover, a great number of things are indicated by a sigh. Indeed, when a certain knight was sitting not far from a certain virgin, he sighed vehemently. Finally, asked by her wherefore he was sighing, he responded: "For I dare not reveal to you the desire of my heart." She, however, made a rather remarkable statement to him, saying: "He who hesitates to lay open his desire to a woman when the opportunity to speak is present seems not to have a manly soul."

[from Boncompagno da Signa, The Wheel of Venus, early 13th c., ed & tr. Josef Purkart.]