I. ˈthrü preposition
Etymology: Middle English thurh, thruh, through, from Old English thurh; akin to Old High German durh through, Latin trans across, beyond, Sanskrit tarati he crosses over
Date: before 12th century
1.
a.
(1) — used as a function word to indicate movement into at one side or point and out at another and especially the opposite side of
drove a nail through the board
(2) : by way of
left through the door
(3) — used as a function word to indicate passage from one end or boundary to another
a highway through the forest
a road through the desert
(4) : without stopping for : past
drove through a red light
b. — used as a function word to indicate passage into and out of a treatment, handling, or process
the matter has already passed through her hands
2. — used as a function word to indicate means, agency, or intermediacy: as
a. : by means of : by the agency of
b. : because of
failed through ignorance
c. : by common descent from or relationship with
related through their grandfather
3.
a. : over the whole surface or extent of : throughout
homes scattered through the valley
b. — used as a function word to indicate movement within a large expanse
flew through the air
c. — used as a function word to indicate exposure to a specified set of conditions
put him through hell
4. — used as a function word to indicate a period of time: as
a. : during the entire period of
all through her life
b. : from the beginning to the end of
the tower stood through the earthquake
c. : to and including
Monday through Friday
5.
a. — used as a function word to indicate completion or exhaustion
got through the book
went through the money in a year
b. — used as a function word to indicate acceptance or approval especially by an official body
got the bill through the legislature
II. adverb
Date: before 12th century
1. : from one end or side to the other
2.
a. : from beginning to end
b. : to completion, conclusion, or accomplishment
see it through
3. : to the core : completely
soaked through
4. : into the open : out
break through
III. adjective
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : extending from one surface to another
a through mortise
b. : admitting free or continuous passage : direct
a through road
2.
a.
(1) : going from point of origin to destination without change or reshipment
a through train
(2) : of or relating to such movement
a through ticket
b. : initiated at and destined for points outside a local zone
through traffic
3.
a. : arrived at completion or accomplishment
is through with the job
b. : washed-up , finished