Main Entry:

¹throw

Pronunciation:

\ˈthrō\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

threw \ˈthrü\ ; thrown \ˈthrōn\ ; throw·ing

Etymology:

Middle English thrawen, throwen to cause to twist, throw, from Old English thrāwan to cause to twist or turn; akin to Old High German drāen to turn, Latin terere to rub, Greek tribein to rub, tetrainein to bore, pierce

Date:

13th century

transitive verb1 a: to propel through the air by a forward motion of the hand and arm <throw a baseball> b: to propel through the air in any manner <a rifle that can throw a bullet a mile> c: pitch 6b <threw a no-hitter>2 a: to cause to fall <threw his opponent> b: to cause to fall off : unseat <the horse threw its rider> c: to get the better of : overcome <the problem didn't throw her>3 a: to fling (oneself) precipitately <threw herself down on the sofa> b: to drive or impel violently : dash <the ship was thrown on a reef>4 a (1): to put in a particular position or condition <threw her arms around him> <thrown into chaos> <threw him into prison> (2): to put on or off hastily or carelessly <threw on a coat> b: to bring to bear : exert <threw all his efforts into the boy's defense> <throw their weight behind the proposal> c: build, construct <threw a pontoon bridge over the river>5: to form or shape on a potter's wheel6: to deliver (a blow) in or as if in boxing7: to twist two or more filaments of into a thread or yarn8 a: to make a cast of (dice or a specified number on dice) b: roll 1a <throw a bowling ball>9: to give up : abandon10: to send forth : project <the setting sun threw long shadows> ; also : shed 3c <throw some light on the matter>11: to make (oneself) dependent : commit (oneself) for help, support, or protection <threw himself on the mercy of the court>12: deposit 2b <the wine throws sediment>13: to perform (as a stunt) successfully <throwing tricks on a skateboard>14: to indulge in : give way to <threw a temper tantrum>15 a: to bring forth <throws a good crop> b: to give birth to <threw large litters>16: to lose intentionally <throw a game>17 a: to move (a lever) so as to connect or disconnect parts of a clutch or switch ; also : to make or break (a connection) with a lever b: to put (an automobile) in a different gear especially quickly or suddenly <he threw the car into reverse>18: to give by way of entertainment <throw a party>intransitive verb: cast, hurl

— throw·er \ˈthrō-ər\ noun

— throw cold water on

: to discourage especially through pessimism or indifference

— throw money at

: to spend large sums of money on or for especially recklessly or ineffectively <trying to solve problems by throwing money at them>

— throw one's weight around or throw one's weight about

: to exercise influence or authority especially to an excessive degree or in an objectionable manner

— throw to the wolves

: to leave unprotected against fierce opposition or attack

— throw together

1: to put together in a hurried and usually careless manner <a bookshelf hastily thrown together>2: to bring into casual association <different kinds of people are thrown together — Richard Sennett>

synonyms throw, cast, toss, fling, hurl, pitch, sling mean to cause to move swiftly through space by a propulsive movement or a propelling force. throw is general and interchangeable with the other terms but may specifically imply a distinctive motion with bent arm <can throw a fastball and a curve>. cast usually implies lightness in the thing thrown and sometimes a scattering <cast it to the winds>. toss suggests a light or careless or aimless throwing and may imply an upward motion <tossed the coat on the bed>. fling stresses a violent throwing <flung the ring back in his face>. hurl implies power as in throwing a massive weight <hurled himself at the intruder>. pitch suggests throwing carefully at a target <pitch horseshoes>. sling stresses either the use of whirling momentum in throwing or directness of aim <slung the bag over his shoulder>.