Pant

v. i. [imp. & p. p. PANTED; p. pr. & vb. n. PANTING.] [Cf. W. pantu, to depress, pant, a depression, down; O. Fr. panteier, to gasp for breath, panteiser, Pr. panteisar, panteior, to be breathless; O. Fr. pantois, Pr. pantais, out of breath, breathlessness.]

1Sense 1. To breathe quickly or in a labored manner, as after exertion or from excited eagerness; to respire with heaving of the breast; to gasp.

Pluto pants for breath from out his cell. Dryden.

2Sense 2. Hence, to be overpowered with eagerness, desire, or longing.

Who pants for glory finds but short repose. Pope.

3Sense 3. To beat with unnatural violence or rapidity; to palpitate, or throb, as the heart, in terror, &c.

Yet might her piteous heart be seen to pant and quake. Spenser.

4Sense 4. To play with intermission or declining strength.

*The whispering breeze Pants on the leaves, and dies upon the trees. Pope.*

v. t. 1. To breathe forth quickly or in a labored manner; to gasp out. There is a cavern where my spirit Was panted forth in anguish, whilst thy pain Made my heart mad. Shelley. 2. To long for; to be eager after. [Rare.] “Then shall hearts pant thee.” Herbert.

n. 1. A quick breathing; a catching of the breath; a gasp. 2. A violent palpitation of the heart. Shak.