奄えん奄えん

taru-adjective, adverb taking the 'to' particle

gasping; breathless; faintly breathing

Literary or classical word describing weak, labored breathing, often in a state of near-death or extreme exhaustion. Commonly appears in the set phrase 気息奄奄 (きそくえんえん).

See also: 気息奄々

• 気き息そく奄えん奄えんとして、今いまにも消きえ入いりそうだった。

  He was gasping faintly, as if his breath might stop at any moment.