I. ˈpu̇t verb
( put ; put·ting )
Etymology: Middle English putten; akin to Old English putung instigation, Middle Dutch poten to plant
Date: 12th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to place in a specified position or relationship : lay
put the book on the table
b. : to move in a specified direction
c.
(1) : to send (as a weapon or missile) into or through something : thrust
(2) : to throw with an overhand pushing motion
put the shot
d. : to bring into a specified state or condition
a reapportionment…that was put into effect at the September primaries — Current Biography
e. : to prescribe a specified regimen for — usually used with on
put her on medication
put him on a diet
2.
a. : to cause to endure or suffer something : subject
put traitors to death
b. : impose , inflict
put a special tax on luxuries
3.
a. : to set before one for judgment or decision
put the question
b. : to call for a formal vote on
put the motion
4.
a.
(1) : to convey into another form
want to put my feelings into words
(2) : to translate into another language or style
put the poem into English
(3) : adapt
lyrics put to music
b. : express , state
putting it mildly
5.
a. : to devote (oneself) to an activity or end
put himself to winning back their confidence
b. : apply
put her mind to the problem
c. : assign
put them to work
d. : to cause to perform an action : urge
put the horse over the fence
e. : impel , incite
put them into a frenzy
6.
a. : repose , rest
put s his faith in reason
b. : invest 1
put her money in the company
7.
a. : to give as an estimate
put the time as about eleven
b. : attach , attribute
put s a high value on their friendship
c. : impute
put the blame on the partners
8. : bet , wager
put $2 on the favorite
intransitive verb
1. : to start in motion : go ; especially : to leave in a hurry
2. of a ship : to take a specified course
put down the river
•
- put forth
- put forward
- put in mind
- put one's finger on
- put one's foot down
- put one's foot in one's mouth
- put paid to
- put the arm on
- put the finger on
- put the make on
- put to bed
- put together
- put to it
II. noun
Date: 14th century
1. : a throw made with an overhand pushing motion ; specifically : the act or an instance of putting the shot
2. : an option to sell a specified amount of a security (as a stock) or commodity (as wheat) at a fixed price at or within a specified time — compare call 3d
III. adjective
Date: 1841
: being in place : fixed , set
stay put until I call