last-gasp

L l

Definitions of last-gasp word

noun last-gasp a sudden, short intake of breath, as in shock or surprise. 1
noun last-gasp a convulsive effort to breathe. 1
noun last-gasp a short, convulsive utterance: the words came out in gasps. 1
verb without object last-gasp to catch one's breath. 1
verb without object last-gasp to struggle for breath with the mouth open; breathe convulsively. 1
verb without object last-gasp to long with breathless eagerness; desire; crave (usually followed by for or after). 1

before 1350

One of the 20% oldest English words

1350-1400; Middle English gaspen, probably Old English *gāspen, equivalent to Old Norse geispa; akin to gape

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 89% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

frantic — desperate or wild with excitement, passion, fear, pain, etc.; frenzied.
desperate — If you are desperate, you are in such a bad situation that you are willing to try anything to change it.
final — pertaining to or coming at the end; last in place, order, or time: the final meeting of the year.
do-or-die — reflecting or characterized by an irrevocable decision to succeed at all costs; desperate; all-out: a do-or-die attempt to halt the invaders.
last-minute — the time just preceding a deadline or when some decisive action must be taken.