gaspn.
/ɡɑːsp/, /ɡasp/, U.S. /ɡæsp/ 1. A convulsive intake or emission of breath caused by distress, exertion, surprise, etc. Also: one's last breath.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disordered breathing > [noun] > shortness of breath > gasping
gasping1440
sob?a1505
gaspa1529
glutting1733
kink1788
catching1873
gaspiness1883
catch1884
a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Eii Galba whom his galantys garde for a gaspe.
1586 W. Warner Albions Eng. iv. xxi*. 94 [He] shortly gaue a quiet gaspe or twayne.
1628 Z. Boyd Last Battell Soule iv. 517 It [sc. life] is begunne with weeping, and maintained by sweatting, and at the last endeth with a gaspe.
1672 Westm.-drollery ii. 88 Then shall a Gaspe or two do more Than e're my Rhetorick could before.
a1732 J. Gay Fables (1738) II. xvi. 148 Can those [hoards] prolong one gasp of breath, Or calm the troubled hour of death?
1785 T. Dwight Conquest of Canäan ix. 225 With one weak gasp, on Elam's bosom laid, Her bloom all vanish'd and her spirit fled.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. iv. 95 The old lady gave a gasp.
1879 R. Browning Ivan Ivanovitch in Idyls I. 67 Then followed gasps and sobs, and then the steady flow Of kindly tears.
1941 ‘N. Blake’ Case of Abominable Snowman ix. 82 The detective-sergeant goggled. Phillips let out a gasp.
2000 J. McDevitt Infinity Beach 71 There were always a few gasps from travelers who were looking at it for the first time.
2. In extended use: any spasmodic action or event likened to a gasp; esp. a gust of wind.
ΚΠ
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xxiii. 380 But straite, more cleare appear'd the streight, Antilochus foresaw, It was a gaspe the earth gaue, forc't, by humours, cold and raw.
1710 W. Congreve On Mrs. Arabella Hunt, Singing i, in Wks. III. 875 Let..ev'ry ruder Gasp of Breath Be calm, as in the Arms of Death.
1795 A. Musgrave Cicely I. 20 The wish to see our new sister..engrossed every gasp of conversation 'till we reached Raby.
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. xxxi. 268 Winds nearly at rest, with the exception of a little gasp from the westward.
1897 C. C. Hotchkiss Colonial Free-lance xix. 179 The last gasp of wind went out.
1925 J. Dos Passos Manhattan Transfer i. v. 114 Three blocks down smoke and an occasional gasp of flame came from the roof of a house.
1938 Lima (Ohio) Daily News 21 Apr. 25/2 It [sc. the motor] gave one deep spasmodic choke, followed by several puny put-put-put gasps.
1993 J. Merrill Different Person iii. 39 The gasp of stale backstage air on my face when the gold or crimson curtains parted.
Phrases
(one's) last gasp: the final attempt to draw breath before dying. at the last gasp: at the point of death; in later use frequently figurative; cf. last-gasp adj. at last adv., adj., and n.4 Compounds 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > [noun] > point of
death's gateOE
the gate(s of death1340
lasta1382
(in) the article (formerly also articles) of death1483
death's door1515
the valley of the shadow of death1535
(one's) last gasp1564
death door1601
extremity1602
on one's last legs1614
verge1750
the Great (Continental) Divide1908
the world > life > death > [noun] > death throes
throwingeOE
death throec1300
throec1300
stour1340
bale-stourc1400
gasping1440
agonya1500
(one's) last gasp1564
death flurry1831
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > [noun] > breath > last
(one's) last gasp1564
1564 A. Golding tr. Justinus Hist. Trogus Pompeius xxiii. f. 104v It should not greue her to loose her life, so she mighte tarye with her husband to the laste gaspe.
1577 M. Hanmer tr. Bp. Eusebius in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. viii. v. 147 Retayning a valiant and inuincible minde vnto the last gaspe.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) i. v. 53 His Fortunes all lye speechlesse, and his name Is at last gaspe . View more context for this quotation
1655 E. Nicholas Nicholas Papers (1892) II. 338 At this instant he [sc. Cromwell] is like one at ye laste gaspe, full of convulsions, laying hould on what commes next him.
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. i. i. 25 In those diseases,..[there may be] the highest mental Enjoyments and Sufferings, even to the last Gasp.
1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 805 He that finds One drop of heav'n's sweet mercy in his cup, Can dig, beg, rot and perish, well content, So he may wrap himself in honest rags At his last gasp.
1846 R. C. Trench Notes Miracles vi. 180 He left her at the last gasp; he knew not whether to regard her as alive or dead.
1851 R. Hussey Rise Papal Power iii. 158 The authority of the Augusti breathed on that day its last gasp in Rome.
1902 Daily Chron. 20 Dec. 5/2 Another ancient industry is at its last gasp—viz., the hand-knitting of Kilmarnock bonnets.
1956 S. Beckett Waiting for Godot (1959) i. 26 Looks at his last gasp to me.
2004 Times Lit. Suppl. 10 Sept. 19/1 His hard-nosed self-promotion [was] at odds with his elders' attachment to the last gasps of hippiedom or the first breaths of punk.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
gaspv.
/ɡɑːsp/, /ɡasp/, U.S. /ɡæsp/ 1. intransitive. To inhale or exhale convulsively with an open mouth, as a result of distress, exertion, surprise, etc. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disordered breathing > have or cause breathing disorder [verb (intransitive)] > become short of breath > gasp or catch breath
gape1352
gaspa1393
to catch the aira1616
kink1691
keck1721
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. l. 3975 Thries on the water ther Sche gaspeth with a drecchinge onde.
c1440 (?a1400) Morte Arthure l. 1462 (MED) Thare ware gomes thurghegirde with grundyn wapyns, Grisely gayspande with grucchande lotes.
1523 J. Skelton Goodly Garlande of Laurell 266 Some tremblid, some girnid, some gaspid, some gasid, As people halfe peuysshe, or men that were masyd.
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Nov. f. 46 The flouds do gaspe, for dryed is theyr sourse.
?1606 S. Rowlands Terrible Battell sig. B4v On price of wares he would not sticke But lay a gasping, while the bell did towle, And there his body lies without a soule.
1673 J. Milton Sonnets xi, in Poems (new ed.) 56 Those rugged names to our like mouths grow sleek That would have made Quintilian stare and gasp.
1719 C. Cibber Ximena ii. 19 The Shrieks of drowning Honour call! 'Tis sinking, gasping, while I stand in Pause.
1794 F. Burney Lett. Apr. I almost gasped with impatience and revived old feelings.
1813 W. Scott Bridal of Triermain ii. xxv. 94 Already gasping on the ground, Lie twenty of the Table Round.
1846 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters II. 157 He has taken our breath away, and leaves us gasping.
1934 ‘L. G. Gibbon’ Grey Granite iii. 171 Izey Urquhart..valued Ma's things and share of the house at a price that had made Chris gasp.
1972 R. Godden Diddakoi i. 20 Kizzy had gasped when Mrs Blount pulled the plug with its terrifying gush.
1995 J. Barclay Paras over the Barras (2002) vi. 114 Annie gasped and her hand came up to her mouth.
2. transitive. To breathe (air, smoke, etc.) in or out with a gasp; to inhale or exhale convulsively. Also with down, out, etc.
ΚΠ
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1957) i. i. l. 79 Aiax breist..gaspand furth flawmand smoke.
a1627 J. Beaumont Bosworth-field (1629) 14 Dying mouths had gaspt forth purple breath.
1806 Port Folio 27 Dec. 400/1 Behold a single victim of despair, Dragged upon deck to gasp the ocean air; Devoid of fear, he hears the tempest rise.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xi. 113 I soon found myself gasping the ammoniacal steam of some fourteen..fellow lodgers.
1892 Phrenol. Jrnl. Sept. 125/1 The whole livelong day I must lie buried in feather cushions so that I can scarcely gasp down a bit of air.
1951 G. C. Klingel Bay ix. 146 It gasped the unaccustomed air.
2001 J. Hynes Lecturer's Tale xii. 231 She gasped out a huge cloud of smoke, the same color as her skin.
3.
a. intransitive. to gasp for (also †after) To be desperate to obtain, do, or consume; to crave. Cf. gape v. 4, gag v.1 Additions. Now colloquial (chiefly British).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > strong or eager desire > desire strongly or eagerly [verb (intransitive)]
famish1535
gape1552
to gasp for1553
pant1560
mantle1657
1553 J. Brende tr. Q. Curtius Rufus Hist. iv. f. 69v But thirest chieflie afflicted the wounded and weried, which laye along euerie where in the waies where any water was gasping after it with open mouth.
c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme lxiii. 4 in Coll. Wks. (1998) II. 70 O god..How gaspes my flesh for thy refreshing taste!
1601 J. Hayward Sanctuarie Troubled Soule (rev. ed.) 8 Christ, my fainting soule groaneth and gaspeth for thy grace, but it is abashed at thy glory.
1684 T. Hockin Disc. God's Decrees 333 Future happiness..nature it self does incessantly gasp and breath after.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 198. ¶5 Seeing how dearly they loved one another, and gasped after their Liberty.
1793 J. Churchill Liverpool Odes ii. 8 Behold me gasping for a crust, For eat, and very soon I must.
1824 W. Irving Tales of Traveller III. 78 These things worked together on my mind, and I gasped after vengeance.
1844 E. B. Barrett Drama of Exile in Poems I. 76 And gasp for space amid the Infinite.
1912 Amer. Mag. Apr. 759/2 At the end of a week, he'll be simply gasping for some golf, or tennis, or croquet even.
1999 Soldier June 29/3 There you are, absolutely gasping for a cuppa, and the nearest electric kettle is miles away.
b. intransitive. literal. With for. To pant or strain for (air, breath, etc.). Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disordered breathing > have or cause breathing disorder [verb (intransitive)] > become short of breath > make effort to breathe
strugglea1674
gasp1697
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 133 The sick, for Air before the Portal gasp . View more context for this quotation
1739 Gentleman's Mag. Feb. 63/2 He began to struggle, and gasp for Breath.
1785 S. J. Pratt Misc. II. 63 Oh heavens! what spectre hov'ring o'er Is ent'ring now at yonder door, Where pale Lucullus gasps for breath? Angels and Ministers! 'tis Death!
1833 L. Ritchie Wanderings by Loire 9 The doors and windows, as we passed, were all open, gasping for air.
1888 ‘J. S. Winter’ Bootle's Children viii. 56 Lassie turned very white, and gasped for breath.
1937 Times 20 May 12/4 Loud and prolonged singing is achieved..when they are gasping for breath during their exercises on the treadmill wheels.
1993 Kentucky New Era 14 Aug. b10/4 Rescuers emerged from the tunnel caked with dirt, gasping for air.
c. intransitive. British colloquial. to be gasping: to be very thirsty (esp. for an alcoholic or caffeinated drink); to crave an addictive substance (as tobacco, a drug, etc.). Cf. sense 3a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > be thirsty [verb (intransitive)] > be extremely thirsty
to spit cotton1825
to spit chips1901
to be gasping1958
1958 L. Collins Sweet Interlude i. 16 ‘There's some tea waiting for you both in the dining-room!’ ‘Good. We're gasping, aren't we, Van?’
1986 C. Scott Talent for Loving iv. 68 Now let's go and get that drink—I'm gasping!
1992 M. Henry Gift for Gift iii. 35 But you must make me a cup of tea first. I'm simply gasping.
1996 M. Burgess Junk (1997) xvii. 155 She'd been clean for a week and she was gasping. She bought a couple of grams.
1999 Scotsman (Nexis) 7 Jan. 15 Youse don't mind if I light up in here. Ah'm gaspin'.
2008 S. MacBride Flesh House (2009) 11 ‘Ooh,’ he pointed at the crumpled-up cup in Logan's hand, ‘where'd you get the tea: I'm gasping.’
4. transitive. To utter with a gasp. Frequently with direct speech as object. Also with out.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > say in a particular manner [verb (transitive)] > breathily
puff1576
pant1608
gaspa1616
whiff1765
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) v. ii. 144 I cannot looke greenely, nor gaspe out my eloquence. View more context for this quotation
1652 W. Charleton Darknes Atheism v. 177 He threw up his blood into the aer, and together with his black Soul, gasped out this desperate ejaculation; Vicisti Galilæe, vicisti!
1753 C. Lennox Shakespear Illustr. I. 98 Gasping out ‘Alas! my Love, I die’, is pathetic to the last Degree.
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) ii. 7 ‘You shall smart for this,’ gasped Mr. Pickwick.
a1865 E. C. Gaskell Wives & Daughters (1866) II. xxiv. 249 She gasped out her ready-prepared English sentence.
1926 B. Ruck Her Pirate Partner xiii. 3 Mrs. Llewelyn in stark agony had gasped out the word ‘Corks!’
1971 S. Howatch Penmarric (1972) iv. iv. 427 I was just thinking I'd finally cornered him and was just gasping out, ‘Now, you crooked little liar,’ when he hit me.
2006 G. Showalter Jewel of Atlantis xxii. 305 ‘Don't make me wait any longer,’ she gasped.
Phrases
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > [verb (intransitive)] > be dying
to have one foot in the (also his, etc.) grave?1483
to draw on1484
to gasp up the ghost1577
gore1577
to turn one's face to the wall1579
to gasp one's last1603
groan1642
not to be long for this world1665
strugglea1674
to falter forth or out1814
to sprawl one's last1837
1577 R. Stanyhurst Treat. Descr. Irelande iii. f. 14/2, in R. Holinshed Chron. I They left them goaring in their bloude..and gasping vp their flitting goastes.
1611 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iii. 401 Som groaning Pagan may gasp out his ghost.
1850 H. Melville White-jacket xciii. 462 We have seen..our last man gasp out the ghost in the stifling Sick-bay.
1884 Puck (N.Y.) 5 Mar. 6/2 He gasped up the ghost.
P2. to gasp one's last: to die; also figurative; cf. gasp n. Phrases, to breathe one's last at breathe v. Phrases 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > [verb (intransitive)] > be dying
to have one foot in the (also his, etc.) grave?1483
to draw on1484
to gasp up the ghost1577
gore1577
to turn one's face to the wall1579
to gasp one's last1603
groan1642
not to be long for this world1665
strugglea1674
to falter forth or out1814
to sprawl one's last1837
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. xi. 249 Weltring in his goare-blood, and readie to gaspe his last.
1653 R. Baxter Christian Concord 97 We have no other way to revive the hopes of the Churches, now they seem to be ready to gasp their last.
a1691 R. Baxter Monthly Prepar. Holy Communion (1696) 78 He had no sooner spoke these words, but he gasped his last.
1748 D. Bellamy Paraphr. Bk. Job x. 41 No Eye had seen me gasp my last.
1826 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Feb. 109/2 He gasps his last on the silvery shore.
1866 Ballou's Monthly Mag. Mar. 205/2 With the sharp crack of John's rifle the puma rolled upon its back, stretching out its bloody claws and gasping its last.
1903 Med. Summary Feb. 364/1 She yawned a few more times, and then gasped her last.
1976 National Observer (U.S.) 3 July 17/1 When I started..the pulps were gasping their last.
2007 M. Zuk Riddled with Life (2008) vi. 125 Finnish women live to 81, but Finnish men gasp their last at 74.
P3. to gasp one's life (also breath) away and variants: to breathe one's last; to die.
ΚΠ
1605 R. Buckland tr. St. Victor Memorable Hist. Persecution in Africke ii. vii. 66 Life was gasped out, euen betweene the hands of them which haled them.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis ix, in tr. Virgil Wks. 480 He staggers round, his Eyeballs rowl in Death, And with short sobs he gasps away his Breath.
1723 R. Blackmore Alfred ix. 317 From Groans of Warriours gasping out their Breath, From neighing Coursers, and the ringing Blows Of Swords on Helms and Shields, such Clamour rose.
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. iv. 621 He..lay gasping life away.
1846 R. B. Sage Scenes Rocky Mts. vii. 63 While thus enjoying the varied sweets of solitude, he became the prey of sickness and gasped his life away.
1860 Ladies' Repository Aug. 91/2 Marian's nightdress and the bed-clothing were dabbled with blood, while she, propped with pillows, was gasping her life away.
1921 St. Nicholas Feb. 313/2 It ceased its floundering, and lay on the bank quietly gasping its life away.
1989 Independent (Nexis) 31 July The crooked financier..drank a cup of coffee in his Italian prison cell and gasped his life away in the ecstasy of strychnine poisoning.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
gaspint.
/ɡɑːsp/, /ɡasp/, U.S. /ɡæsp/ Used parenthetically to express mock horror, shock, surprise, dismay, etc.
ΚΠ
1968 Punch 11 Sept. 379/1 He..got a scholarship to Columbia on account of he was so fantastically brilliant, went from there to Cambridge, and from there to publication in (gasp!) Partisan Review.
1979 J. C. Freund Lawyering vi. 150 Let's examine this point in the context of (gasp!) a hypothetical.
1988 Times 3 Aug. 19/3 The Vuitton people, it had been reported, fear the heavy sales of Möet in, gasp, supermarkets will contaminate their precious brand name.
1991 Delaware Valley Nov. 62/3 A column about the couple's decision to—gasp—date other people.
2010 J. Mattera Obama Zombies 107 Recycling may absolve you of your inner guilt, but the process of cleaning and cataloging materials requires using an abundance of—gasp—energy.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.a1529v.a1393
int.1968