throe
throe definition
throe (t̸hrō)
noun
a spasm or pang of pain: usually used in pl. the throes of childbirth, death throes
Etymology: 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
throe Idioms
in the throes of
in the act of struggling with (a problem, decision, task, etc.)
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