Pant (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Panted; p. pr. & vb. n. Panting.] [Cf. F. panteler to gasp for breath, OF. panteisier to be breathless, F. pantois out of breath; perh. akin to E. phantom, the verb prob. orig. meaning, to have the nightmare.]
1.
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 pants for breath from out his cell.
Dryden.
2.
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.
3.
To beat with unnatural violence or rapidity; to palpitate, or throb; -- said of the heart.
Spenser.
4.
To sigh; to flutter; to languish.
[Poetic]
The whispering breeze
Pants on the leaves, and dies upon the trees.
Pope.
© Webster 1913.
Pant, 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.
Shelley.
2.
To long for; to be eager after.
[R.]
Then shall our hearts pant thee.
Herbert.
© Webster 1913.
Pant, n.
1.
A quick breathing; a catching of the breath; a gasp.
Drayton.
2.
A violent palpitation of the heart.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.