Etymology: Middle English possen, pusshen, probably from Old French pousser to exert pressure, from Latin pulsare, frequentative of pellere to drive, strike — more at felt
Date: 13th century
transitive verb1 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<push prices to record levels>c: to try to move beyond or expand <push one's limits>d: 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 <pushed a bill in the legislature>; especially: to make aggressive efforts to sell <we're pushing ham this week>c: to engage in the illicit sale of (narcotics) 4: to bear hard upon so as to involve in difficulty <poverty pushed them to the breaking point> 5: to approach in age or number <grandmother must be pushing 75>intransitive verb1: 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 <pushing for higher wages>
