/ gɑːsp; NAmE gæsp/ verb , noun
■ verb
1.
gasp (at sth) to take a quick deep breath with your mouth open, especially because you are surprised or in pain :
[ v ]
She gasped at the wonderful view.
They gasped in astonishment at the news.
[ v speech ]
'What was that noise?' he gasped.
2.
gasp (sth) (out) to have difficulty breathing or speaking :
[ v ]
He came to the surface of the water gasping for air.
[ vn ]
She managed to gasp out her name.
[also v speech ]
3.
be gasping (for sth) [ v ] ( BrE , informal ) to want or need sth very badly, especially a drink or a cigarette
■ noun
a quick deep breath, usually caused by a strong emotion :
to give a gasp of horror / surprise / relief
His breath came in short gasps.
•
IDIOMS
see last determiner
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old Norse geispa to yawn.