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thrust

 - 3 dictionary results

thrust

  [thruhst] ,verb, thrust, thrust⋅ing, noun
Use thrust in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to push forcibly; shove; put or drive with force: He thrust his way through the crowd. She thrust a dagger into his back.
2. to put boldly forth or impose acceptance of: to thrust oneself into a conversation between others; to thrust a dollar into the waiter's hand.
3. to extend; present: He thrust his fist in front of my face.
4. Archaic. to stab or pierce, as with a sword: She thrust his back with a dagger.
–verb (used without object)
5. to push against something.
6. to push or force one's way, as against obstacles or through a crowd.
7. to make a thrust, lunge, or stab at something.
–noun
8. an act or instance of thrusting; a forcible push or shove; lunge or stab.
9. a lunge or stab, as with a sword.
10. Mechanics. a linear reactive force exerted by a propeller, propulsive gases, etc., to propel a ship, aircraft, etc.
11. Geology. a compressive strain in the crust of the earth that, in its most characteristic development, produces reverse or thrust faults.
12. the main point, purpose, or essence: The thrust of his speech was an urgent appeal for votes.
13. Machinery. a pushing force or pressure exerted by a thing or a part against a contiguous one.
14. Architecture. the downward and outward force exerted by an arch on each side.
15. an organized military attack; assault; offensive.
Origin:
1125–75; ME thrusten, thrysten (v.) < ON thrȳsta to thrust, force, press
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To thrust
thrust   (thrŭst)   
v.   thrust, thrust·ing, thrusts

v.   tr.

  1. To push or drive quickly and forcibly. See Synonyms at push.

  2. To issue or extend: poplars thrusting their branches upward; thrust out his finger.

  3. To force into a specified condition or situation: She thrust herself through the crowd. He was thrust into a position of awesome responsibility.

  4. To include or interpolate improperly.

  5. To force on an unwilling or improper recipient: "Some have greatness thrust upon them" (Shakespeare).

  6. Archaic To stab; pierce.

v.   intr.

  1. To shove something into or at something else; push.

  2. To pierce or stab with or as if with a pointed weapon.

  3. To force one's way.

n.  

  1. A forceful shove or push.

    1. A driving force or pressure.

    2. The forward-directed force developed in a jet or rocket engine as a reaction to the high-velocity rearward ejection of exhaust gases.

  3. A piercing movement made with or as if with a pointed weapon; a stab.

  4. The essence; the point: The whole thrust of the project was to make money.

  5. Architecture Outward or lateral stress in a structure, as that exerted by an arch or vault.

  6. An attack or assault, especially by an armed force.


[Middle English thrusten, from Old Norse thrȳsta; see treud- in Indo-European roots.]
thrust'er n., thrust'ful adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

thrust  (v.)
c.1175, from O.N. þrysta "to thrust, force," from P.Gmc. *thrustijanan, perhaps from PIE *trud- "push, press" (see threat), but OED finds this derivation doubtful. The noun is recorded from 1513; fig. sense of "principal theme, aim, point, purpose" is recorded from 1968.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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