throw Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of throwing (propelling something with a rapid movement of the arm and wrist)
    • the catcher made a good throw to second base
  2. noun a single chance or instance
    • he couldn't afford $50 a throw
  3. noun the maximum movement available to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam
    stroke; cam stroke.
  4. noun bedclothes consisting of a lightweight cloth covering (an afghan or bedspread) that is casually thrown over something
  5. noun casting an object in order to determine an outcome randomly
    • he risked his fortune on a throw of the dice
  6. verb propel through the air
    • throw a frisbee
  7. verb move violently, energetically, or carelessly
    • She threw herself forwards
  8. verb get rid of
    shake off; shed; throw away; throw off; drop; cast off; cast.
    • he shed his image as a pushy boss
    • shed your clothes
  9. verb place or put with great energy
    thrust.
    • She threw the blanket around the child
    • thrust the money in the hands of the beggar
  10. verb convey or communicate; of a smile, a look, a physical gesture
    give.
    • Throw a glance
    • She gave me a dirty look
  11. verb cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation
    switch; flip.
    • switch on the light
    • throw the lever
  12. verb put or send forth
    project; cast; contrive.
    • She threw the flashlight beam into the corner
    • The setting sun threw long shadows
    • cast a spell
    • cast a warm light
  13. verb to put into a state or activity hastily, suddenly, or carelessly
    • Jane threw dinner together
    • throw the car into reverse
  14. verb cause to be confused emotionally
    bemuse; bewilder; discombobulate.
  15. verb utter with force; utter vehemently
    hurl.
    • hurl insults
    • throw accusations at someone
  16. verb organize or be responsible for
    make; hold; have; give.
    • hold a reception
    • have, throw, or make a party
    • give a course
  17. verb make on a potter's wheel
    • she threw a beautiful teapot
  18. verb cause to fall off
    • The horse threw its inexperienced rider
  19. verb throw (a die) out onto a flat surface
    • Throw a six
  20. verb be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
    bedevil; discombobulate; confuse; fox; confound; befuddle; fuddle.
    • These questions confuse even the experts
    • This question completely threw me
    • This question befuddled even the teacher

WordNet

Throw noun
Etymology
See Throe.
Definitions
  1. Pain; especially, pain of travail; throe. Obs. Spenser. Dryden.
Throw noun
Etymology
AS. rah, rag.
Definitions
  1. Time; while; space of time; moment; trice. Obs. Shak.
    I will with Thomas speak a little throw. Chaucer.
Throw transitive verb
Etymology
OE. rowen, rawen, to throw, to twist, AS. rawan to twist, to whirl; akin to D. draaijen, G. drehen, OHG. drajan, L. terebra an auger, gimlet, Gr. to bore, to turn, to pierce, a hole. Cf. Thread, Trite, Turn, v. t.
Wordforms
imperfect Threw ; past participle Thrown ; present participle & verbal noun Throwing
Definitions
  1. To fling, cast, or hurl with a certain whirling motion of the arm, to throw a ball; -- distinguished from to toss, or to bowl.
  2. To fling or cast in any manner; to drive to a distance from the hand or from an engine; to propel; to send; as, to throw stones or dust with the hand; a cannon throws a ball; a fire engine throws a stream of water to extinguish flames.
  3. To drive by violence; as, a vessel or sailors may be thrown upon a rock.
  4. (Mil.) To cause to take a strategic position; as, he threw a detachment of his army across the river.
  5. To overturn; to prostrate in wrestling; as, a man throws his antagonist.
  6. To cast, as dice; to venture at dice.
    Set less than thou throwest. Shak.
  7. To put on hastily; to spread carelessly.
    O'er his fair limbs a flowery vest he threw. Pope.
  8. To divest or strip one's self of; to put off.
    There the snake throws her enameled skin. Shak.
  9. (Pottery) To form or shape roughly on a throwing engine, or potter's wheel, as earthen vessels.
  10. To give forcible utterance to; to cast; to vent.
    I have thrown A brave defiance in King Henry's teeth. Shak.
  11. To bring forth; to produce, as young; to bear; -- said especially of rabbits.
  12. To twist two or more filaments of, as silk, so as to form one thread; to twist together, as singles, in a direction contrary to the twist of the singles themselves; -- sometimes applied to the whole class of operations by which silk is prepared for the weaver. Tomlinson.
Throw intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To perform the act of throwing or casting; to cast; specifically, to cast dice.
Throw noun
Definitions
  1. The act of hurling or flinging; a driving or propelling from the hand or an engine; a cast.
    He heaved a stone, and, rising to the throw, He sent it in a whirlwind at the foe. Addison.
  2. A stroke; a blow. Obs.
    Nor shield defend the thunder of his throws. Spenser.
  3. The distance which a missile is, or may be, thrown; as, a stone's throw.
  4. A cast of dice; the manner in which dice fall when cast; as, a good throw.
  5. An effort; a violent sally. Obs.
    Your youth admires The throws and swellings of a Roman soul. Addison.
  6. (Mach.) The extreme movement given to a sliding or vibrating reciprocating piece by a cam, crank, eccentric, or the like; travel; stroke; as, the throw of a slide valve. Also, frequently, the length of the radius of a crank, or the eccentricity of an eccentric; as, the throw of the crank of a steam engine is equal to half the stroke of the piston.
  7. (Pottery) A potter's wheel or table; a jigger. See 2d Jigger, 2 (a).
  8. A turner's lathe; a throwe. Prov. Eng.
  9. (Mining) The amount of vertical displacement produced by a fault; -- according to the direction it is designated as an upthrow, or a downthrow.

Webster 1913