The word "gasps" is spelled with five letters in English. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ɡæsps/. The initial sound is a voiced velar stop /ɡ/, followed by a short vowel sound /æ/. The consonant cluster /sp/ is pronounced as a voiceless alveolar fricative /s/ followed by a voiceless bilabial plosive /p/. The final sound is a voiced alveolar fricative /z/. This word refers to the act of taking in a sudden, sharp breath through the mouth.
Gasps (noun, plural):
1. A sudden, sharp intake of breath, accompanied by a brief, audible sound, typically as a response to surprise, shock, pain, or a lack of breath. Gasps are involuntary, instinctive reactions and are often characterized by the rapid expansion of the chest and a widening of the eyes. They are commonly accompanied by a physical recoil or jerk, as well as an interruption in speech or activity.
2. In a figurative sense, gasps can also refer to reactions of astonishment, disbelief, or awe. They can indicate an overwhelming response to something unexpected, remarkable, or impressive. In this context, gasps may be used to express a combination of surprise, admiration, and intrigue, often by a group of people observing an event, performance, or unusual occurrence. The sound of gasps in a crowd can help create a dramatic effect, indicating a collective moment of intense emotion or astonishment. Gasps may also be used metaphorically to describe the effect of witnessing or experiencing a shocking or unsettling event that leaves one momentarily breathless with disbelief or horror.
As a verb, "to gasp" means to emit or produce a gasp or to draw in a breath sharply and audibly, either intentionally or involuntarily. It can also denote an exclamation or reaction uttered with difficulty due to surprise, shock, or breathlessness.
The word "gasps" is a noun derived from the verb "gasp".
The etymology of "gasp" can be traced back to the Old Norse word "gispa", which means "to yawn or to gape". This Old Norse word is believed to have been influenced by the Old English word "gæspian" or "yspian", which had a similar meaning. Both of these words ultimately stem from the Proto-Germanic root "gaispōną".
The word "gasping" as a form of strong desire or need first appeared in the 14th century, derived from the original sense of opening one's mouth wide in surprise or difficulty breathing. Over time, "gasping" also came to be associated with the sounds made during such situations.