gasp

Definition

To draw in the breath suddenly, as if from a shock.

Etymology

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”).

Example Sentences

• "The audience gasped as the magician disappeared."
• "We were all gasping when we reached the summit."
• "c. 1761-1764, Robert Lloyd, An Epistle to C. Churchill, Author of the Rosicad She gasps and struggles hard for life."