Draw in breath and hold tight as fourth thorn is extracted (4)
I believe the answer is:
gasp
'draw in breath' is the definition.
'gasp' can be an answer for 'breath' (I've seen this before). I'm unsure of the 'draw in' bit.
'hold tight as fourth thorn is extracted' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'as' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'gp' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'and' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gasp that I've seen before include "Short laboured intake of breath" , "Inhale sharply with astonishment" , "Have trouble breathing" , "Puff, struggle for breath" , "Convulsive breath" .)