throw
n. countablen. the act of sending something through the air by moving your arm. It can also mean a single chance to do something, like a turn in a game.
n. the act of propelling an object through the air with a sudden motion of the arm and hand. In specific contexts, it refers to a single instance of casting dice or a particular move in wrestling or judo.
That was a great throw.
The quarterback made a perfect throw to the end zone just as the clock ran out.
The athlete's record-breaking throw was the result of years spent perfecting the precise coordination of hip rotation and arm extension.
From Middle English throwen, thrawen, from Old English þrāwan (“to turn, twist”), from Proto-West Germanic þrāan, from Proto-Germanic þrēaną (“to twist, turn”), from Proto-Indo-European *terh₁- (“to rub, rub by twisting, twist, turn”). Cognate with Scots thraw (“to twist, turn, throw”), West Frisian triuwe (“to push”), Dutch draaien (“to turn”), Low German draien, dreien (“to turn (in a lathe)”), German drehen (“to turn”). Displaced warp as the word for hurling and was displaced by warp as the word for twisting.
From Middle English, from Old English þrāh, þrāg (“space of time, period, while”). Of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to Gothic 𐌸𐍂𐌰𐌲𐌾𐌰𐌽 (þragjan, “to run”).
See throe.
- 01
lock someone up and throw away the key
To lock someone up in prison indefinitely.
- 02
stone's throw
A short distance, roughly equivalent to how far a person can throw a stone.
- 03
throw a bone to
To provide support or assistance to, especially in one particular way or to a limited extent; to make a concession to.