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).
Words nearby gasp
gasolier, gasoline, gasometer, gasometric analysis, gasometry, gasp, gaspar, gasparovic, gasper, gaspereau, gaspergou
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, adverbDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for last-gasp
It is seen as a last-gasp effort to finally solve the mystery of his November 2004 death in France.
British Dictionary definitions for last-gasp (1 of 2)
last-gasp
noun
(modifier) done in desperation at the last minutea last-gasp attempt to save the talks
British Dictionary definitions for last-gasp (2 of 2)
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Idioms and Phrases with last-gasp
gasp
see last gasp.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.