pant 1
— pantingly , adv.
/pant/ , v.i.
1. to breathe hard and quickly, as after exertion.
2. to gasp, as for air.
3. to long with breathless or intense eagerness; yearn: to pant for revenge.
4. to throb or heave violently or rapidly; palpitate.
5. to emit steam or the like in loud puffs.
6. Naut. (of the bow or stern of a ship) to work with the shock of contact with a succession of waves. Cf. work (def. 30).
v.t.
7. to breathe or utter gaspingly.
n.
8. the act of panting.
9. a short, quick, labored effort at breathing; gasp.
10. a puff, as of an engine.
11. a throb or heave, as of the breast.
[ 1400-50; late ME panten pant ( a ) is ( i ) er phantasiare to have visions phantasioûn to have or form images. See FANTASY ]
Syn. 1. puff, blow. PANT, GASP suggest breathing with more effort than usual. PANT suggests rapid, convulsive breathing, as from violent exertion or excitement: to pant after running for the train. GASP suggests catching one's breath in a single quick intake, as from amazement, terror, and the like, or a series of such quick intakes of breath, as in painful breathing: to gasp with horror; to gasp for breath. 3. thirst, hunger.
pant 2
/pant/ , adj.
1. of or pertaining to pants: pant cuffs.
n.
2. See pant leg .
3. pants (defs. 1, 2).
[ 1890-95; sing. of PANTS ]