gasp Hear it!

gasp definition

gasp (gasp)

intransitive verb

to inhale suddenly, as in surprise, or breathe with effort, as in choking

Etymology: ME gaspen < ON geispa, to yawn, prob. by metathesis of *geipsa < geipa, to gossip: for IE base see gape

transitive verb

to say or tell with gasps

noun

a gasping; catching of the breath with difficulty
gasp Idioms

at the last gasp

  1. just before death
  2. just before the end; at the last moment

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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