v. & n.
--v.
1. tr. throw up (a ball etc.) esp. with the hand.
2 tr. & intr. roll about, throw, or be thrown, restlessly or from side to side (the ship tossed on the ocean; was tossing and turning all night; tossed her head angrily).
3 tr. (usu. foll. by to, away, aside, out, etc.) throw (a thing) lightly or carelessly (tossed the letter away).
4 tr. a throw (a coin) into the air to decide a choice etc. by the side on which it lands. b (also absol.; often foll. by for) settle a question or dispute with (a person) in this way (tossed him for the armchair; tossed for it).
5 tr. a (of a bull etc.) throw (a person etc.) up with the horns. b (of a horse etc.) throw (a rider) off its back.
6 tr. coat (food) with dressing etc. by shaking.
7 tr. bandy about in debate; discuss (tossed the question back and forth).
--n.
1. the act or an instance of tossing (a coin, the head, etc.).
2 Brit. a fall, esp. from a horse.
Phrases and idioms:
toss one's head throw it back esp. in anger, impatience, etc. tossing the caber the Scottish sport of throwing a tree-trunk. toss oars raise oars to an upright position in salute. toss off
1. drink off at a draught.
2 dispatch (work) rapidly or without effort (tossed off an omelette).
3 Brit. coarse sl. masturbate.
Usage:
Usually considered a taboo use in sense 3. toss a pancake throw it up so that it flips on to the other side in the frying-pan. toss up toss a coin to decide a choice etc. toss-up n.
1. a doubtful matter; a close thing (it's a toss-up whether he wins).
2 the tossing of a coin.
Etymology: 16th c.: orig. unkn.