Gulps

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ɡʌlps/

Definitions

1. Swallows a large amount of food or liquid quickly ; inhales suddenly and audibly due to shock or nervousness
2. Consumes something rapidly by swallowing ; draws in breath sharply when startled or upset
3. Takes in liquid or food in big mouthfuls quickly ; makes a loud breath intake expressing fear, surprise, or anxiety

Etymology: "Gulps" is simply the third-person singular form of "gulp," so the story belongs to the verb itself. Its roots are in Middle English "gulpen," which probably came from West Flemish or Middle Dutch, and its exact origin is uncertain. Scholars suspect it may be imitative, meaning it arose from the sound of a throat working hard to swallow. The word has close relatives across the North Sea and beyond. Low German "gulpen" meant "to gush out, belch, gulp," West Frisian "gjalpe" meant "to gush, spurt forth," and Danish "gylpe" meant "to gulp up, disgorge." Their shared sense of a sudden, forceful movement helps explain why the English verb covers both swallowing in haste and the abrupt intake of breath caused by fright.

Synonyms: swallows, downs

Antonyms: spits