chuck

I. verb Etymology: Middle English chukken, of imitative origin Date: 14th century cluck II. noun Etymology: perhaps from chuck chicken Date: 1595 — used as an endearment III. transitive verb Etymology: origin unknown Date: 15th century 1. pat, tap 2. a. toss, throw b. discard <

chucked his old shirt

> <

chuck it out with the trash

> c. dismiss, oust — used especially with out <

was chucked out of office

> 3. give up <

chucked his job

> IV. noun Date: 1611 1. a pat or nudge under the chin 2. an abrupt movement or toss V. noun Etymology: English dialect chuck lump Date: 1723 1. a cut of beef that includes most of the neck, the parts about the shoulder blade, and those about the first three ribs — see beef illustration 2. chiefly West food 3. an attachment for holding a workpiece or tool in a machine (as a drill or lathe)