絶たえ絶だえ

na-adjective, noun

feeble; faint; intermittent

Describes something that is barely continuing, often with a sense of being about to stop or fade away. Commonly used for breath, voice, life, or other continuous phenomena.

• 彼かれの声こえは絶たえ絶だえで、ほとんど聞きこえなかった。

  His voice was faint and barely audible.

• 絶たえ絶だえの息いきで助たすけを求もとめた。

  With faltering breath, he called for help.