Gasp
[gɑːsp] or [ɡæsp]
Definition
(noun.) a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open; 'she gave a gasp and fainted'.
Typed by Irwin--From WordNet
Definition
(v. i.) To open the mouth wide in catching the breath, or in laborious respiration; to labor for breath; to respire convulsively; to pant violently.
(v. i.) To pant with eagerness; to show vehement desire.
(v. t.) To emit or utter with gasps; -- with forth, out, away, etc.
(n.) The act of opening the mouth convulsively to catch the breath; a labored respiration; a painful catching of the breath.
Edited by Lancelot
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. Pant, puff, blow.
Edited by Georgina
Definition
v.i. to gape in order to catch breath: to desire eagerly.—n. the act of opening the mouth to catch the breath.—pr.p. and adj. Gasp′ing convulsive spasmodic.—adv. Gasp′ingly.—The last gasp the utmost extremity.
Edited by Allison
Examples
- She stole a sudden glance at the face close to hers, and then she gave a little frightened gasp. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- Therefore, I will fight it out to the last gasp, with her and for her, here, in the open field. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- I was just at the last gasp when you came in. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- The moment had arrived when her lip would tremble in spite of herself, and when the gasp could no longer be kept down. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- As my eyes fell upon it, I gave a gasp and a cry of amazement. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- Such an awful sinking at the heart--such a sudden gasp for breath! Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- If he were to make a discovery to the contrary, he would be simply stunned--would never recover himself, most likely, except to gasp and die. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- He gasped out at various intervals these exclamations of rage and grief. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- He pointed behind him at the boat, and gasped to that degree that he dropped upon the stones to get his breath. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Arrest these men, Inspector, he gasped. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- Briggs seized it mechanically, gasped it down convulsively, moaned a little, and began to play with the chicken on her plate. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Isaac gasped with terror and uncertainty. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- She rocked herself to and fro; caught her throat; and, uttering a gurgling sound, gasped for breath. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- Oliver, more dead than alive, gasped out, 'Yes. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- He was still for two or three minutes, which seemed endless to her, unable to speak or move, gasping for breath. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Now,' said Mr. Pickwick, gasping no less from excitement than from the expenditure of so much energy, 'come on--both of you--both of you! Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- The sensation of being stifled sometimes so overpowered him, that he would stand at the window holding his throat and gasping. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Observe this, Mr. Pickwick,' said the disconcerted officer, gasping for breath. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Then there was a weeping of women, then waiting, then hushed exclamations, then a strange gasping sound, then a painful stillness. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- They ran to the rope, leaving him gasping there. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- He waited for that look to go off,--for her gasping breath to come. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- The trooper gasps as if he would admit it all if he could speak. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- He faintly wipes his forehead with his handkerchief and gasps. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
Inputed by Cherie