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throw definition

throw (t̸hrō)

transitive verb threw, thrown, throwing throw′·ing

  1. to twist strands of (silk, etc.) into thread or yarn
  2. to cause to fly through the air by releasing from the hand while the arm is in rapid motion; cast; hurl
  3. to discharge through the air from a catapult, pump, gun, etc.
  4. to hurl violently, as in anger, etc.; dash
  5. to cause to fall; upset; overthrow; dislodge thrown by a horse
  6. to move or send rapidly; advance to throw reinforcements into a battle
  7. to put suddenly and forcibly into or onto she threw the clothes into the suitcase
  8. to put suddenly and forcibly into a specified condition or situation thrown into prison, into confusion, etc.
    1. to cast or roll (dice)
    2. to make (a specified cast) at dice to throw a five
  10. to cast off; shed snakes throw their skins, the horse threw its shoe
  11. to bring forth (young): said esp. of domesticated animals
  12. to move the lever of (a switch, clutch, etc.) or connect, disconnect, engage, etc. by so doing
    1. to direct, cast, turn, project, etc.: variously with at, on, upon, over, toward, etc. to throw a glance, a light, a shadow, etc.
    2. to deliver (a punch)
  14. to cause (one's voice) to seem to come from some other source, as in ventriloquism
  15. to put (blame on, influence into, obstacles before, etc.)
  16. ☆ Informal to lose (a game, race, etc.) deliberately, as by prearrangement
  17. ☆ Informal to give (a party, dance, etc.)
  18. ☆ Informal to have (a fit, tantrum, etc.)
  19. Informal to confuse or disconcert the question completely threw him
  20. Card Games to play or discard (a card)
  21. Ceramics to shape on a potter's wheel

Etymology: ME throwen, to twist, wring, hurl < OE thrawan, to throw, twist, akin to Ger drehen, to twist, turn < IE base *ter-, to rub, rub with turning motion, bore > thrash, thread, Gr teirein, L terere, to rub

intransitive verb

to cast or hurl something

noun

  1. the action of a person who throws; a cast
  2. a cast of dice, or the numbers cast
  3. the distance something is or can be thrown a stone's throw
  4. ☆
    1. a spread or coverlet for draping over a bed, sofa, etc.
    2. a woman's light scarf or wrap
    1. the motion of a moving part driven by a cam, eccentric, etc.
    2. the range of such a motion; travel; stroke
  6. Geol. the amount of vertical displacement at a fault
  7. Wrestling a particular way or an instance of throwing an opponent

Related Forms:

throw Idioms

a throw

Informal for each one; apiece concert tickets at fifty bucks a throw

throw a monkey wrench into

☆
to stop or obstruct by direct interference; sabotage

throw away

  1. to rid oneself of; discard
  2. to be wasteful of; waste; squander
  3. to fail to make use of throwing away his talents
  4. Theater to deliver (a line, speech, etc.) in a deliberately offhand manner

throw back

  1. to check or stop from advancing
  2. to revert to an earlier or more primitive type or condition

throw cold water on

to discourage by indifference or disparagement

throw in

  1. to engage (a clutch) or cause (gears) to mesh
  2. to add on without extra charge
  3. to add to others
  4. Informal to join (with) in cooperative action

throw off

    1. to rid oneself of; cast off
    2. to recover from
    3. Card Games to discard
    1. to evade (a pursuer)
    2. to mislead
    3. to disconcert or confuse
  3. to expel, emit, etc.
  4. Informal to write or utter quickly, in an offhand manner

throw on

to put on (a garment) carelessly or hastily

throw oneself at

to try very hard to win the affection or love of

throw oneself into

to engage in with great vigor

throw oneself on

or throw oneself upon
to ask for (someone's mercy, etc.) for oneself

throw open

  1. to open completely and suddenly
  2. to remove all restrictions from

throw out

  1. to get rid of; discard
  2. to reject or remove, often with force
  3. to emit
  4. to put forth or utter (a hint or suggestion)
  5. to disengage (a clutch)
  6. ☆ Baseball to throw the ball to a teammate who in turn retires (a runner)

throw over

  1. to give up; abandon
  2. to forsake; jilt

throw together

  1. to make or assemble hurriedly and carelessly
  2. to cause to become acquainted

throw up

  1. to give up or abandon
  2. to raise suddenly or rapidly
  3. to vomit
  4. to construct rapidly
  5. ☆ to mention repeatedly (to someone), as in reproach or criticism

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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