gasp
[ gasp, gahsp ]
/ gæsp, gɑsp /
noun
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
to utter with gasps (often followed by out, forth, away, etc.): She gasped out the words.
to breathe or emit with gasps (often followed by away).
Idioms for gasp
last gasp,
the point of death; dying: At his last gasp he confessed to the murder.
Origin of gasp
1350–1400; Middle English
gaspen, probably Old English
*gāspen, equivalent to Old Norse
geispa; akin to
gape
OTHER WORDS FROM gasp
gasp·ing·ly, adverbWords nearby gasp
gasolier,
gasoline,
gasometer,
gasometric analysis,
gasometry,
gasp,
gaspar,
gasparovic,
gasper,
gaspereau,
gaspergou
Example sentences from the Web for gasping
British Dictionary definitions for gasping
gasp
/ (ɡɑːsp) /
verb
(intr)
to draw in the breath sharply, convulsively, or with effort, esp in expressing awe, horror, etc
(intr; foll by after or for)
to crave
(tr often foll by out)
to utter or emit breathlessly
noun
a short convulsive intake of breath
a short convulsive burst of speech
at the last gasp
- at the point of death
- at the last moment
Derived forms of gasp
gaspingly, adverbWord Origin for gasp
C14: from Old Norse
geispa to yawn; related to Swedish dialect
gispa, Danish
gispe
Idioms and Phrases with gasping
gasp
see last gasp.