[push] vb [ME pusshen, fr. MF poulser to beat, push, fr. OF, fr. L pulsare, freq. of pellere to drive, strike--more at felt] vt (13c) 1 a: to press against with force in order to drive or impel b: to move or endeavor to move away or ahead by steady pressure without striking
2. a: to thrust forward, downward, or outward b: to cause to increase: raise "~ prices to record levels" c: to hit (a ball) toward the right from a right-handed swing or toward the left from a left-handed swing--compare pull 3 a: to press or urge forward to completion b: to urge or press the advancement, adoption, or practice of "~ed a bill in the legislature"; esp: to make aggressive efforts to sell "we're ~ing ham this week" c: to engage in the illicit sale of (narcotics)
4: to bear hard upon so as to involve in difficulty "poverty ~ed them to the breaking point"
5: to approach in age or number "grandmother must be ~ing 75" ~ vi 1: to press against something with steady force in or as if in order to impel
2: to press forward energetically against opposition
3: to exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end "~ing for higher wages" -- push one's luck : to take an increasing risk
[2]push n (1563) 1: a vigorous effort to attain an end: drive: a: a military assault or offensive b: an advance that overcomes obstacles c: a campaign to promote a product
2: a time for action: emergency 3 a: an act of pushing: shove b (1): a physical force steadily applied in a direction away from the body exerting it (2): a nonphysical pressure: influence, urge c: vigorous enterprise or energy
4. a: an exertion of influence to promote another's interests b: stimulation to activity: impetus -- push comes to shove : a decisive moment comes "backed down when push came to shove"