Throe

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -əʊ
• Homophones: throw

Origin

From Middle English throwe, perhaps from Old English þrēa, thrawu ("threat").

Full definition of throe

Noun

1. A pang, spasm.
• 1819, Percy Bysshe Shelley, :As if their own indignant EarthWhich gave the sons of England birthHad felt their blood upon her brow,And shuddering with a mother's throeHad turned every drop of bloodBy which her face had been bedewedTo an accent unwithstood, —As if her heart had cried aloud: ...
2. A hard struggle.
3. A tool for splitting wood into shingles; a frow.

Synonyms

Derived terms

• in the throes of

Verb

1. (transitive) To put in agony.
• 1610, , by William Shakespeare, act 2 scene 1SEBASTIAN:Prithee, say on:The setting of thine eye and cheek proclaimA matter from thee, and a birth, indeedWhich throes thee much to yield.
2. (intransitive) To struggle in extreme pain; to be in agony; to agonize.

Anagrams

• other