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Gasp vs Pant - What's the difference?

gasp | pant |

Pant is a synonym of gasp.



In intransitive terms the difference between gasp and pant

is that gasp is to breathe laboriously or convulsively while pant is to sigh; to flutter; to languish.

In transitive terms the difference between gasp and pant

is that gasp is to speak in a breathless manner while pant is to long for (something); to be eager for (something).

As an interjection gasp

is The sound of a gasp.

gasp

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A short, sudden intake of breath.
  • The audience gave a gasp of astonishment
  • (British, slang): A draw or drag on a cigarette (or gasper).
  • I'm popping out for a gasp .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To draw in the breath suddenly, as if from a shock.
  • The audience gasped as the magician disappeared.
  • To breathe laboriously or convulsively.
  • We were all gasping when we reached the summit.
  • * Lloyd
  • She gasps and struggles hard for life.
  • To speak in a breathless manner.
  • The old man gasped his last few words.
  • To pant with eagerness; to show vehement desire.
  • I'm gasping for a cup of tea.
  • * Spenser
  • Quenching the gasping furrows' thirst with rain.

    Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • (humorous)
  • Gasp ! What will happen next?

    References

    Anagrams

    * *

    pant

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) (m), whence also English dialectal (m). Possibly from (etyl) (m), a byform or of (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A quick breathing; a catching of the breath; a gasp.
  • (obsolete) A violent palpitation of the heart.
  • (Shakespeare)
    References
    * *

    Verb

  • (ambitransitive) To breathe quickly or in a labored manner, as after exertion or from eagerness or excitement; to respire with heaving of the breast; to gasp.
  • * Dryden
  • Pluto plants for breath from out his cell.
  • * Shelley
  • There is a cavern where my spirit / Was panted forth in anguish.
    {{quote-Fanny Hill, part=2 , Charles had just slipp'd the bolt of the door, and running, caught me in his arms, and lifting me from the ground, with his lips glew'd to mine, bore me, trembling, panting , dying, with soft fears and tender wishes, to the bed}}
  • To long for (something); to be eager for (something).
  • * Herbert
  • Then shall our hearts pant thee.
  • To long eagerly; to desire earnestly.
  • * Bible, Psalms xlii. 1
  • As the hart panteth after the water brooks.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • Who pants for glory finds but short repose.
  • Of the heart, to beat with unnatural violence or rapidity; to palpitate.
  • (Spenser)
  • To sigh; to flutter; to languish.
  • * Alexander Pope
  • The whispering breeze / Pants on the leaves, and dies upon the trees.
    Synonyms
    * (breathe quickly or in a labored manner) gasp * (long for) crave, desire, long for, pine for * (long eagerly) crave, desire, long, pine * palpitate, pound, throb

    Etymology 2

    From pants

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (fashion) A pair of pants (trousers or underpants).
  • (used attributively as a modifier) Of or relating to pants.
  • Pant leg
    Derived terms
    * pant cuff * pant leg * pantsuit, pant suit * panty, panties

    Etymology 3

    Unknown

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • a public drinking fountain in Scotland and North-East England
  • References

    * PMSA page with several examples * OED 2nd edition