<p><strong>Noun:</strong></p><ul><li>a sudden, short intake of breath, as in shock or surprise.</li><li>a convulsive effort to breathe.</li><li>a short, convulsive utterance: the words came out in gasps.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb:</strong></p><ul><li>to catch one's breath.</li><li>to struggle for breath with the mouth open; breathe convulsively.</li><li>to utter with gasps (often followed by out, forth, away, etc.): She gasped out the words.</li><li>to breathe or emit with gasps (often followed by away).</li></ul>