noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', adverb
gasping; out of breath; panting
Describes a state of being so breathless that one can barely speak or continue. Often used with verbs like 言う, 話す, 走る, or 逃げる.
He gasped for help, barely able to breathe.
I ran up the stairs, completely out of breath.
A set phrase combining 息 (breath) + も (even) + 絶え絶え (intermittent, on the verge of stopping). 絶え絶え is a reduplicated form of the verb 絶える (to cease, to die out).