To breathe quickly or in a labored manner, as after exertion or from eagerness or excitement; to respire with heaving of the breast; to gasp. Pluto plants for breath from out his cell. Dryden.
Hence: To long eagerly; to desire earnestly. As the hart panteth after the water brooks. Ps. xlii. 1. Who pants for glory finds but short repose. Pope.
To beat with unnatural violence or rapidity; to palpitate, or throb; -- said of the heart. Spenser.
To sigh; to flutter; to languish. [Poetic] The whispering breeze Pants on the leaves, and dies upon the trees. Pope.
To breathe forth quickly or in a labored manner; to gasp out. There is a cavern where my spirit Was panted forth in anguish. Shelley.
To long for; to be eager after. [R.] Then shall our hearts pant thee. Herbert.
A quick breathing; a catching of the breath; a gasp. Drayton.
A violent palpitation of the heart. Shak.
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