I. ˈthrō verb
( threw ˈthrü ; thrown ˈthrōn ; throw·ing )
Etymology: Middle English thrawen, throwen to cause to twist, throw, from Old English thrāwan to cause to twist or turn; akin to Old High German drāen to turn, Latin terere to rub, Greek tribein to rub, tetrainein to bore, pierce
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to propel through the air by a forward motion of the hand and arm
throw a baseball
b. : to propel through the air in any manner
a rifle that can throw a bullet a mile
c. : pitch 6b
threw a no-hitter
2.
a. : to cause to fall
threw his opponent
b. : to cause to fall off : unseat
the horse threw its rider
c. : to get the better of : overcome
the problem didn't throw her
3.
a. : to fling (oneself) precipitately
threw herself down on the sofa
b. : to drive or impel violently : dash
the ship was thrown on a reef
4.
a.
(1) : to put in a particular position or condition
threw her arms around him
thrown into chaos
threw him into prison
(2) : to put on or off hastily or carelessly
threw on a coat
b. : to bring to bear : exert
threw all his efforts into the boy's defense
throw their weight behind the proposal
c. : build , construct
threw a pontoon bridge over the river
5. : to form or shape on a potter's wheel
6. : to deliver (a blow) in or as if in boxing
7. : to twist two or more filaments of into a thread or yarn
8.
a. : to make a cast of (dice or a specified number on dice)
b. : roll 1a
throw a bowling ball
9. : to give up : abandon
10. : to send forth : project
the setting sun threw long shadows
also : shed 3c
throw some light on the matter
11. : to make (oneself) dependent : commit (oneself) for help, support, or protection
threw himself on the mercy of the court
12. : deposit 2b
the wine throw s sediment
13. : to perform (as a stunt) successfully
throw ing tricks on a skateboard
14. : to indulge in : give way to
threw a temper tantrum
15.
a. : to bring forth
throw s a good crop
b. : to give birth to
threw large litters
16. : to lose intentionally
throw a game
17.
a. : to move (a lever) so as to connect or disconnect parts of a clutch or switch ; also : to make or break (a connection) with a lever
b. : to put (an automobile) in a different gear especially quickly or suddenly
he threw the car into reverse
18. : to give by way of entertainment
throw a party
intransitive verb
: cast , hurl
• throw·er ˈthrō-ər noun
•
- throw cold water on
- throw money at
- throw one's weight around
- throw to the wolves
- throw together
Synonyms:
throw , cast , toss , fling , hurl , pitch , sling mean to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force. throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm
can throw a fastball and a curve
cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering
cast it to the winds
toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion
tossed the coat on the bed
fling stresses a violent throwing
flung the ring back in his face
hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight
hurled himself at the intruder
pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target
pitch horseshoes
sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim
slung the bag over his shoulder
II. noun
Date: 1530
1.
a. : an act of throwing, hurling, or flinging
b.
(1) : an act of throwing dice
(2) : the number thrown with a cast of dice
c. : a method of throwing an opponent in wrestling or judo
2. : the distance a missile may be thrown or light rays may be projected
3. : an undertaking involving chance or danger : risk , venture
4. : the amount of vertical displacement produced by a geological fault
5.
a. : the extreme movement given to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam, crank, or eccentric : stroke
b. : the length of the radius of a crank or the virtual crank radius of an eccentric or cam
6.
a. : a light coverlet (as for a bed)
b. : a woman's scarf or light wrap
•
- a throw