I. ˈthrō noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English throwe, alteration (influenced by throwen to suffer, from Old English thrōwian — akin to Old English thrāwu threat, pang) of thrawe, from Old English thrāwu, thrēa threat, punishment, pang; akin to Old High German drawa, drōa threat, Old Norse thrā pang, longing, Greek trauma wound, tryein to wear out, distress
1.
a. throes plural : the physical struggle and anguish accompanying parturition : labor pains
b. : the struggle and anguish immediately preceding death : a death struggle — usually used in plural
c. : a sudden spasm or pang (as of pain or emotion)
forced from love's exultant throe — James McAuley
2. throes plural : a condition of struggle, anguish, disorder, or confusion characteristic of a transitional period (as the active phase of creation of some new thing)
a state in the throes of revolution
a college … in the throes of selecting a new president — W.S.Carlson
air commerce is in the throes of an essential transition — Current Biography
Synonyms: see pain
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
obsolete : to put in agony : cause to suffer
intransitive verb
: to struggle in distress : be in agony