v. pant·ed, pant·ing, pants v.intr. 1. To breathe rapidly in short gasps, as after exertion. 2. To beat loudly or heavily; throb or pulsate. 3. To give off loud puffs, especially while moving. 4. To long demonstratively; yearn: was panting for a chance to play. v.tr. To utter hurriedly or breathlessly: I panted my congratulations to the winner of the race. n. 1. A short labored breath; a gasp. 2. A throb; a pulsation. 3. A short loud puff, as of steam from an engine. [Middle English panten, perhaps alteration of Old French pantaisier, from Vulgar Latin *pantasiāre, to have a nightmare, feel oppressed or short of breath from emotion, from Greek phantasioun, to form mental images, from phantasiā, appearance; see FANTASY.] panting·ly adv. |
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