From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Pant \Pant\ (p[.a]nt), 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.
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Pluto plants for breath from out his cell. --Dryden.
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2. Hence: To long eagerly; to desire earnestly; -- often used
with for or after.
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As the hart panteth after the water brooks. --Ps.
xlii. 1.
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Who pants for glory finds but short repose. --Pope.
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3. To beat with unnatural violence or rapidity; to palpitate,
or throb; -- said of the heart. --Spenser.
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4. To sigh; to flutter; to languish. [Poetic]
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The whispering breeze
Pants on the leaves, and dies upon the trees.
--Pope.
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