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
British Dictionary definitions for last gasp
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 last gasp (1 of 2)
last gasp
The moment before death; also, the end. For example, “Fight till the last gasp” (Shakespeare, 1 Henry VI, 1:2), or He was determined to stay at the party until the last gasp. This idiom alludes to taking one's last breath, literally (first example) or figuratively (second example). [Late 1500s]
Idioms and Phrases with last gasp (2 of 2)
gasp
see last gasp.