- 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
- 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.
- Hence:To long eagerly; to desire earnestly; -- often used with for or after.As the hart panteth after the water brooks.Who pants for glory finds but short repose.
- To beat with unnatural violence or rapidity; to palpitate, or throb; -- said of the heart.
- To sigh; to flutter; to languish.PoeticThe whispering breezePants on the leaves, and dies upon the trees.
