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.
彼は息も絶え絶えに助けを求めた。
He gasped for help, barely able to breathe.
息も絶え絶えで階段を駆け上がった。
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).