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throe

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(t̸hrō)

noun

a spasm or pang of pain: usually used in pl.: the throes of childbirth, death throes

Origin: ME throwe, prob. < OE thrawu, pain, affliction, akin to ON thrā, strong yearning < IE *treu- (> Gr trauma, a wound) < base *ter-, to rub, grind > throw

See throe in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A severe pang or spasm of pain, as in childbirth. See Synonyms at pain.
throes A condition of agonizing struggle or trouble: a country in the throes of economic collapse.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English throwe

Origin: , perhaps alteration of thrawe

Origin: , from Old English thrawu

Origin: , genitive of thrēah, pain, affliction

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