v. & n.
v. (past and past part. thrust) 1 tr. push with a sudden impulse or with force (thrust the letter into my pocket). 2 tr. (foll. by on) impose (a thing) forcibly; enforce acceptance of (a thing) (had it thrust on me). 3 intr. (foll. by at, through) pierce or stab; make a sudden lunge. 4 tr. make (one's way) forcibly. 5 intr. (foll. by through, past, etc.) force oneself (thrust past me abruptly).
n. 1 a sudden or forcible push or lunge. 2 the propulsive force developed by a jet or rocket engine. 3 a strong attempt to penetrate an enemy's line or territory. 4 a remark aimed at a person. 5 the stress between the parts of an arch etc. 6 (often foll. by of) the chief theme or gist of remarks etc. 7 an attack with the point of a weapon. 8 (in full thrust fault) Geol. a low-angle reverse fault, with older strata displaced horizontally over newer. thrust-block a casting or frame carrying or containing the bearings on which the collars of a propeller shaft press. thrust oneself (or one's nose) in obtrude, interfere. thrust stage a stage extending into the audience.
[ ME thruste etc. f. ON thr°sta ]