`
`{Cn.;
`
`THE AMERICAN HERITAGE
`
`
`OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
`
`
`WILLIAM MORRIS, Editor
`
`SCIENTIFIC Ll8RflRY
`
`APR 1,= 1975
`
`U.S. PATENT OeeteE
`
`Published by
`AMERICAN HERITAGE PUBLISHING CO., INC.
`and
`HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
`BOSTON/NEW YORK/ATLANTA/GENEVA, ILLINOIS/DALLAS/PALO ALTO
`
`
`
`134Q
`
`the walk,
`
`uter limit
`ooast of a
`el.
`!Pence Or
`,in worth
`
`1. Worth
`
`hree parts
`
`r strands.
`anding in
`wheels all
`Ig. 2. In.
`
`.sisting of,
`
`which the
`covers for
`
`IUltaneous
`ion Char
`
`red as the
`, facetious
`
`es twenty.
`
`ormed by
`lctivity in·
`which one
`their play.
`al triangu
`
`c breeding
`tern threm·
`.J
`alion: "the
`la Mare).
`,r'" in Ap
`l-niYde-ol),
`
`mino acid,
`n, and an
`uncertain.J
`r. 1.•• To
`Its) with a
`the straw.
`\ discuss or
`f with Over.
`resh grain.
`olve hy in
`The act of
`h .tllerscan.
`
`\. threshing
`,us Alopias,
`
`ing grain or
`
`of wood or
`mtrance or
`Ie intensity
`Ie perceived
`[Middle
`t.
`See tar,' in
`
`quantity or
`.glish tllries,
`va. See trei·
`
`It of money
`• growth of
`'eral densely
`I; especially,
`[Middle
`~.
`, from Old
`
`lical; frugal.
`wing vigor
`at sparing.
`
`lUse to feel a
`great pleas
`:ate. -Inlr.
`• trem ble, or
`through the
`ch produces
`on that ac
`Idle English
`,yrlian. from
`,·Ivadv.
`'01. A sensa
`
`k kiek/! lid,
`h ship, dish/
`
`1341
`
`[TIfROM
`
`thrips (thrips) n .. pl. thrips. Any of various small, often wingless
`insects of the order Thysanoptera, many of which are destruc
`[Latin, woodworm, from Greek lilripst.]
`tive to plants.
`thrive (thrlv) inlr. v. throV<l (throv) Or thrived, thrived or thriven
`(thrlv'on), thriving, thrives. 1. To improve steadily, as in wealth
`or position; prosper. 2. To grow vigorously; flourish.
`rrhrive,
`throve, thriven; Middle English Ihrlven, thro/e, thriven, to in
`crease, flourish, from Old Norse thrifask, "to grasp for one
`self," reflexive of thrl/at, to seize.1 -thriv'er n.
`throat (throt) n. 1. A nalomy.
`... The portion of the digestive
`tract that lies between the rear of the mouth and the esophagus
`and includes the fauces and the pharynx. b. The anterior
`portion of the necle. 2. Botany. The outer, expanded part of a
`tubular coroUa. 3. Any narrow passage or part suggestive of
`the human throat: Ihe throat 0/ a tennis racket. -lump in the
`throat. In/ormal. A choking feeling in the throat resulting from
`intense emotion. -stick in one's throat. In!ormol. To be
`difficult to express because of one's reluctance to do so. -Ir.v.
`throated. throating, throats. To pronounce with a harsh or
`guUural voice.
`(Middle English throle, Old English throle,
`tnrotu, from Germanic throl- (unattested).]
`throat·latch (throt'liich') n. A strap passing under the neck of a
`horse or other animal for holding a bridle or halter in place.
`throat.y (thro't;;) adj. -ier. -ieot. Uttered or sounding as if
`uttered deep
`in
`the
`throat; guttural, hoarse, or husky.
`-thro..t'I.IV adv. -throat'l·ness n.
`throb (throb) intr. v. throbbed. throbbing, throbs. 1. To heat
`rapidly or violently; to pound: "Her heart Ihrobs, and with very
`shame would break." (Marvell). 2. To vibrate, pulsate, or sound
`with a steady, pronounced rhythm .. -See Synonyms at pulsate.
`-no The act of throbbing; a beat, palpitation. or vibration.
`[Middle English Ihrobben (attested only in the present par
`ticiple); imitative.) -throb'bing'ly adv.
`throe (thro) n. 1. O/Ien plu",l. A violent pang or spasm of pain,
`as in childbirth or at the crisis of an illness. 2. Plural. A
`condition of agonizing struggle or effort.
`[Middle English
`throwe, Old English Ih",wet, paroxysm.)
`throm·bin (thr(\m'b,m) n. An enzyme in blood that facilitates
`blood clotting by reacting with fibrinogen to form fihrin.
`[lHROMB(O)' + -IN.)
`thrombo-. thromb-. Indicates a blood clot; for example,
`thrambos, lHROM
`thromboplastin, thrombin.
`[From Greek
`BUS.]
`throm·bo·cyte (throm'b~·sit') n. A blood platelet.
`B(O)' + ·CYTE.)
`throm·bo·em·bo·lism (thri!m'bii-em'lr.>-lIz'om) n. The block
`ing of a blood vessel by a thrombus dislodged from a vein.
`throm-bo-plas·tic (throm'bo-pHls'tlk) adj. 1. Causing or pro
`moting blood clotting. 2. Of or pertaining to thromboplastin.
`[lHROMBG- + -PLASTIc.]
`throm-bo·plas·tin (throm'bO-pllis't~n) n. A protein complex
`essential for thrombin formation and blood clotting.
`[THROM
`»(0)- + -PLAST + -IN.]
`throm·!Jo.s;s (thrlSm-bo'sis) n., pl. -S8S (,sez'). The formation,
`presence, or development of a thrombus.
`[New Latin, from
`Greek thrombOsis. a clotting, from thrombousthai, to clot, from
`Ihrombos, lHROMBUS.]
`throm·bus (throm'b~s) n., pl. -bl (-bi'). A clot occluding a
`blood vessel or formed in a heart cavity, produced by coagu
`[New Latin, from. Greek Ihrombo$t. lump.
`lation of the blood.
`clot.]
`throne (thron) n. 1. The chair occupied by a sovereign, bishop,
`or other exalted personage on state or ceremon"ial occasions.
`2. A personage who occupies a throne: a decree from the throne.
`3. The power. dignity. or rank of such a personage; sovereignty.
`4. Plural. Theology. The third of the nine orders of angels. -v.
`throned. throning. thrones. -tr. To enthrone. -intr. To
`occupy a throne; to reign.
`[Middle Englisb, learned respelling
`of earlier trone. from Old French, from Latin thronus, from
`Greek thronos. See dher-' in Appendix.·]
`throne room. The room in which an enthroned monarch or
`church dignitary holds audiences.
`throng (throng) n. 1. A large group of people gathered or
`crowded closely together; a multitude. 2. Any large group of
`things; a host. -v. thronged. thronging, throngs. -lr. 1. To
`crowd into; fill utterly. 2. To press in upon; surround with
`large numbers. -iniF. To gather~ press, or move in a throng:
`"A Ihousand /amasies/ Begin to throng inlO my memory" (Mil
`IMiddle English throng. Ihrong, Old English thrang.
`ton).
`probably from Common Germanic Ihring- (unattested), to
`press, crowd.]
`thros·tle (thr5s'~1) n. 1. Poetic. Any of various Old World
`thrushes. 2. A machine formerly used for spinning cotton,
`wool, or other fiber.
`[Middle English throstle, Old English
`throstle. See tro>dO$- in Appendix.']
`throt·tie (thrlSt'l) n. 1. a. A valve in an internal-combustion
`engine that regulates the amount of vaporized fuel entering the
`cylinders. b. A similar valve in a steam engine regulating the
`amount of steam. 2. A lever or pedal controlling this valve.
`3. Rare. The throat or windpipe. -tr.v. throttled. -ding, ·tles.
`1. a. To regulate the flow of (fuel) in an engine. b. To regulate
`the speed 01 (an engine) with a throttle. 2. To strangle; to
`cholee. 3. To suppress.
`[Sense I, perhaps diminutive of
`mROAT; sense 3, Middle English thrOlelen. to throttle, perhaps
`from throte. THROAT.] -throt'tler n.
`through (throo) prep. 1. In one side and out the opposite or
`another side of. 2. Among or between; in tbe midst of: a walk
`through the flowers. 3. By way of. 4. By the means or agency
`01: "they preserved Iheir lndiVidualily through men and nol by
`
`thrips rthrum
`
`opposition 10 Ihem" (F. Scott Fitzgerald). 6. Here and there in;
`around: a lour through France. 6. From the beginning to the
`end of: slayed up through Ihe nighl. 7. At Or to the end of; done
`or finished with, especially successfully: We are through the
`initial lesling periad. 8. Without stUpping for: drove Ihrough a
`red lighl. 9. Because of. Also informally respelled "thru."
`-See Synonyms at bv. _dv. 1. From one end or side to
`another or opposite end,or 'side. 2. From heginning to end;
`completely; thoroughly. 3. To a conclusion or accomplishment:
`see Ihe mailer through. 4. Out into the open. -through and
`through. 1. In every part of; throughout. 2. In every respect;
`completely. Also informally respelled "thru." -adj. 1 : Passing
`. or extending from: one end, side, or surface to another: a
`through beam. 2. Allowing continuous passage; unobstructed: a
`through streel. 3. Affording transportation to a destination
`with few or no stops and no transfers. 4. Finished; done. See
`Usage note below. 5. At the end of one's effectiveness or
`resources: He's throughjinancially. See Usage note below. Also
`[Middle English thro( g ih, thurh,
`informally respelled "thru."
`Old English thurh, th"'Vh. See ter·> in Appendix.·]
`Usage: Through (adjective) is employed on aU levels in the
`sense of "arrived at completion; finished": When you are
`Ihrough wilh this book, please return il (acceptable to 75 per cent
`of the Usage Panel as an example in writing). It is used more
`informally in extended senses meaning "having no further
`relationship": You and I are through and "having no further
`usefulness": As a seriollS contender, he's through.
`through·IV (throo'le) adv. Archaic. Thoroughly.
`through·out (throo-out') prep. In, to, through, or during every
`part of; aU thTough. -adv. 1. In or through all parts; every
`where. 2. During the entire time or extent.
`through·way. Variant of thruwav.
`throve. Past tense of thrive.
`
`throw (thro) v. threw (throo), thrown (thron), throwing. throws.
`
`-Ir. 1. To propel through the air with a swift motion of the
`arm; to hurl. 2. To discharge into the air by any means. 3. To
`hurl with great force, as in anger; He Ihrew himself at his
`opponent. 4. To hurl to the ground or floor. 5. To perplex or
`mislead. 6. e. To put on or off hastily or carelessly; '(hrow. on a
`cape.b. To put quickly into use or place: throw ill extra troops.
`7. To put abruptly or forcibly into a specified condition: threw
`him into ajit o/Iaughter. 8. To form on a potter's wheel: throw
`
`a vase. 9. To twist (fibers) into tmead. 10. I. To roll (dice).
`
`b. To roll (a particular combination) witb dice. 11. Card
`
`Games. To discard or play (a card). 12, To cast (a shadow).
`
`13. To bear (young)1 as cows or horses. 14. Slang. To arrange
`
`Or give (a party, for example). 15. To move (a controlling lever
`
`or switch). 16.I"Jormal. To lose (a contest) purpe>sely. -inlr.
`
`To cast, fling, or hurl something. -throw in. 1. To engage (a
`
`clutch or gears, for e"ample). 2. To add (an extra amount) with
`
`no additional charge. -throw in with. To join company with.
`
`-throw off. 1. To cast ·out; to reject; spurn. 2. To give off;
`
`emjt. 3. To rid oneself of; evade. -throw out. 1. To give off;
`
`emit. 2. To reject or discard. 3. To offer, as a suggestion or
`
`plan. 4. To disengage (a clutch or gears). 6. Baseball. To put
`
`out (a base runner) by throwing the ball to the player guarding
`
`the base to which he is running. -See Synonyms at eject.
`
`-thrQw over. 1. To overturn. 2. To abandon. -throw ~up.
`
`1. To abandon; relinquish. 2. To construct hurriedly. 3. To
`vomit. -no 1. The act of throwing; a casl; a fling. 2. The
`
`distance, height~ or direction of something thrown: a low throw.
`
`3. a. A roll or cast of dice, b. The combination of numbers so
`
`obtained. 4. A chance; venture. 5. Wrestling. The technique
`
`used to throw an opponent. Ii.•. A light coverlet, such as an
`
`afghan. b. A scarf or shawl. 7. Machinery. •• The Jenl!th of the
`radius of a circle described by a crank, cam, or similar part.
`b. The maximum displacement of a part moved by a cra.nk,
`
`cam, or the like. 8. Geology. a. The amount 01 vertical dis
`
`placement of a fault. b. The vertical component of the net slip.
`
`[Middle English throwen, thrawen, to turn, twist, hence to hurl,
`
`cast (presumably "to turn the body in the act of throwing"),
`
`Old English Ihrowan, to turn, twist. See ter-' in Appendix. oJ
`
`-throw'or n.
`
`Synonyms: throw, cast, hurl. fling, pitch, toss, sling, heave.
`These verbs mean to propel an objec~ usually with a movement
`of the arm. Throw is the general, nonspecific term. Especially in
`earlier usage, cast was often interchangeable with throw. Ctut
`now usually. refers to propelling with great force or to pro
`pelling something light with a quick, skillful movement of the
`arm that culminates in SUdden release. In the latter sense it
`implies careful aim. Hurl and fling mean to throw with great
`force. Both terms, like pitch. can imply impetuous or even
`haphazard action; but pilch more often means to propel some
`thing with a set aim or purpose in mind. Toss, in contrast,
`usually means to throw a Ught object in a leisurely Of offhand
`manner. Sling stresses force of propulsion. Heave generally
`refers to lifting and throwing a ponderous object.
`throw away. 1. To discard as useless. 2. To fail to use.
`throw·a·wav (thro'>wli') n. Something that is or may be
`thrown away; especiallY1 a handbill distributed on the street.
`throw back. To revert to a IYpe or stage in one's ancestral past.
`throw-back (thro'blk') n. 1. A reversion to a former type or
`ancestral characteristic. 2. Loosely, an etavlsm Isee).
`thrown. Past participle of throw.
`throw rug. A scetter \'U9 Isee/.
`thru (throo). In/ormal. Through (see).
`thrum' (thrOm) v. 'thrummed. thrumming. thrums. -Ir. ~ 1~ To
`play (a stringed instrument) idly or monotonously. 2, To repeat
`or recite in a monotonous tone of voice, -intF. 1. To strum
`
`t tight/th thin, palhlth this\ bathe/ll cut/iir 'urge/v val.e/w with/y yes(.z zebra, size/zh vision/~ about, item, edible, gallop, circus/
`a Fr, ami/ce Fr. feu, Ger. scnlin/ii Fr. tu, Ger. Uber/KH Ger. ieh, ScOI. O~h/N Fr. bon. -Follows main vocabularv. tOI obscure origin.
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`
`Words that are believed to be registered trademarks have been'
`
`checked with authoritative sources. No investigation has been
`
`made of common-law trademark rights in any word, because such
`
`investigation is impracticable. Words that are known to have
`
`current registrations are shown with an initial capital and are
`
`" ,al~<:\ id~!1tifieflll!', traflemarks. The inclusion of any word in this
`
`•.:Dictioiliuy. is.."'not',o.bowever. an expression of the publishers'
`
`opinion as to whether or not it is subject to proprietary rights.
`
`Indeed, no definition in ttlis Dictionary is to be regarded as af
`
`, ,Jecting the validity of any trademark.
`
`
`© 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1975 by American Heritage Publishing Co., Inc.
`
`Al! correspondence and inquiries should be directed to
`
`Dictionary DivisiQn, f..merican Heritage Publishing Co.•. Inc.,
`
`122i~Avehue of:tt.eL.Americas. New York. New York 10020.
`
`
`All rights reserved under Bern and Pan-American Copyright Conventions
`
`Standard Book Numbers: 395-09064-4 (de luxe edition);
`395-09065-2 (plain edges); 395-09066-0 (thumb-indexed);
`395-09070-9 (school edition)
`
`Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 76-86995
`
`Manufactur~ in the United States of America
`
`Computer-composed by Inforonics, Inc.
`in Maynard. Massachusetts
`
`