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 plants 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.
The whispering breeze
Pants on the leaves, and dies upon the trees. Pope.