gasp
pronunciation
How to pronounce gasp in British English:
UK [ɡɑːsp]
How to pronounce gasp in American English:
US [ɡæsp]
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- Noun:
- a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
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- Verb:
- breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
Word Origin
- gasp (n.)
- 1570s, from gasp (v.). Earliest attested use is in the phrase last gasp "final breath before dying." To gasp up the ghost "die" is attested from 1530s.
- gasp (v.)
- late 14c., gaspen, "open the mouth wide; exhale," of uncertain origin, perhaps from Old Norse geispa "to yawn," or its Danish cognate gispe "gasp," which probably are related to Old Norse gapa "open the mouth wide" (see gap (n.)). Related: Gasped; gasping.
Example
- 1. He heard her gasp by his powerful thrust .
- 2. A familiar voice sounded making sara gasp .
- 3. He heard her inwardly gasp again .
- 4. Whereas mrs clinton 's is soporific , mr giuliani 's makes the reader sit up and gasp .
- 5. A gasp broke from her .