Gasp
/ɡæsp/noun
To draw in breath suddenly and sharply, especially because of surprise, pain, or shock.
Did you know?English gasp is an old Germanic word tied to the idea of panting or catching your breath, and it survives in related forms across the Germanic languages as a raw, bodily reaction to fear or strain.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵʰes-
“to breathe hard, pant, or gasp”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*gaspōjaną
“to gasp, pant”
Old English
OE
gæspan
“to pant, gasp”
Middle English
ME
gaspen
“to gasp, breathe hard”
Modern English
English
gasp
“to draw in breath suddenly and sharply”
Explore more surprising origins