put

I. verb (put; putting) Etymology: Middle English putten; akin to Old English putung instigation, Middle Dutch poten to plant Date: 12th century transitive verb 1. a. to place in a specified position or relationship ; lay <

put the book on the table

> b. to move in a specified direction c. (1) to send (as a weapon or missile) into or through something ; thrust (2) to throw with an overhand pushing motion <

put the shot

> d. to bring into a specified state or condition <

a reapportionment…that was put into effect at the September primaries — Current Biography

> e. to prescribe a specified regimen for — usually used with on <

put her on medication

> <

put him on a diet

> 2. a. to cause to endure or suffer something ; subject <

put traitors to death

> b. impose, inflict <

put a special tax on luxuries

> 3. a. to set before one for judgment or decision <

put the question

> b. to call for a formal vote on <

put the motion

> 4. a. (1) to convey into another form <

want to put my feelings into words

> (2) to translate into another language or style <

put the poem into English

> (3) adapt <

lyrics put to music

> b. express, state <

putting it mildly

> 5. a. to devote (oneself) to an activity or end <

put himself to winning back their confidence

> b. apply <

put her mind to the problem

> c. assign <

put them to work

> d. to cause to perform an action ; urge <

put the horse over the fence

> e. impel, incite <

put them into a frenzy

> 6. a. repose, rest <

puts his faith in reason

> b. invest 1 <

put her money in the company

> 7. a. to give as an estimate <

put the time as about eleven

> b. attach, attribute <

puts a high value on their friendship

> c. impute <

put the blame on the partners

> 8. bet, wager <

put $2 on the favorite

> intransitive verb 1. to start in motion ; go; especially to leave in a hurry 2. of a ship to take a specified course <

put down the river

> II. noun Date: 14th century 1. a throw made with an overhand pushing motion; specifically the act or an instance of putting the shot 2. an option to sell a specified amount of a security (as a stock) or commodity (as wheat) at a fixed price at or within a specified time — compare call 3d III. adjective Date: 1841 being in place ; fixed, set <

stay put until I call

>