tossing

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. moving your body from side to side, especially when you cannot sleep.

v. moving restlessly or turbulently, particularly in the context of sleep or rough water.

“After tossing and turning all night, she felt exhausted the next morning.”

“The small fishing boat was tossing violently in the storm, making it nearly impossible for the crew to stand on deck.”

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Technical

n. a way of cleaning rocks from a mine by shaking them in water.

n. the process of washing ores by violent agitation in water to separate lighter earthy particles from heavier minerals.

“The miners used tossing to separate the valuable tin from the dirt.”

“Historical records indicate that tossing was a primary method for refining low-grade copper ore before more advanced chemical processes were developed.”

C2 · Proficiency British English · Vulgar · Slang

adj. a very rude word used to show you hate someone or something.

adj. a vulgar intensifier or disparaging epithet used to express extreme contempt.

“He told his boss he was tired of this tossing job and walked out.”

“The argument escalated quickly, with one man calling the other a tossing idiot before the police arrived to intervene.”