v. & n.
--v.
1. intr. catch one's breath with an open mouth as in exhaustion or astonishment.
2 intr. (foll. by for) strain to obtain by gasping (gasped for air).
3 tr. (often foll. by out) utter with gasps.
--n. a convulsive catching of breath.
Phrases and idioms:
at one's last gasp
1. at the point of death.
2 exhausted.
Etymology: ME f. ON geispa: cf. geip idle talk