throb

throb (θrɒb)

—vb , throbs, throbbing, throbbed
1.	to pulsate or beat repeatedly, esp with increased force: to throb with pain
2.	(of engines, drums, etc) to have a strong rhythmic vibration or beat

—n
3.	the act or an instance of throbbing, esp a rapid pulsation as of the heart: a throb of pleasure

[C14: perhaps of imitative origin]

'throbbing

—*adj*

'throbbingly

—*adv*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

throb

mid-14c., of uncertain origin, perhaps meant to represent in sound the pulsation of arteries and veins or the heart. The noun is first attested 1570s.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

throb (thrŏb)
v. throbbed, throb·bing, throbs
To beat rapidly or perceptibly, such as occurs in the heart or a constricted blood vessel. n.
A strong or rapid beat; a pulsation.

Example sentences

The sight of those flags everywhere made the welkin ring, and the hearts of the

spectators throb with patriotic emotion.

He testified that both knees and legs throb, burn and tingle.

The pain radiates from the sting site and starts to itch, burn and throb as it

blisters.

The small towns and the larger cities alike began to throb with a new rhythm of

commerce.

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Related Words

pulsate beat pant pulse heartthrob

pang pound pulsation stroke thrill

Matching Quote

"What is most appalling in an F. Scott Fitzgerald book is that it is peopleless fiction: Fitzgerald writes about spectral, muscled suits; dresses, hats, and sleeves which have some sort of vague, libidinous throb. These are plainly the product of sickness."

-Edward Dahlberg