gasp

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To take a sudden, short breath in, usually from shock or surprise.

   The audience gasped when the magician suddenly disappeared.

2. 2
   verb

   To breathe with difficulty, with the mouth open, especially after effort.

   We were all gasping for breath by the time we reached the top.

3. 3
   noun

   A sudden, short breath in, usually showing shock or surprise.

   She let out a gasp of astonishment when she opened the gift.

From Middle English gaspen, gayspen (“to gape, outbreathe”), related to and likely derived from Old Norse geispa (“to yawn”) or its descendant Danish gispe, which may be related to gapa (“to gape”).

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