thrust

I. verb (thrust; thrusting) Etymology: Middle English thrusten, thristen, from Old Norse thrȳsta; probably akin to Old Norse thrjōta to tire, Old English thrēat coercion — more at threat Date: 13th century transitive verb 1. to push or drive with force ; shove 2. to cause to enter or pierce something by or as if by pushing <

thrust a dagger into his heart

> 3. extend, spread 4. stab, pierce 5. a. to put (as an unwilling person) forcibly into a course of action or position <

was thrust into the job

> b. to introduce often improperly into a position ; interpolate 6. to press, force, or impose the acceptance of upon someone <

thrust new responsibilities upon her

> intransitive verb 1. a. to force an entrance or passage b. to push forward ; press onward c. to push upward ; project 2. to make a thrust, stab, or lunge with or as if with a pointed weapon <

thrust at them with a knife

> II. noun Date: 14th century 1. a. a push or lunge with a pointed weapon b. (1) a verbal attack (2) a military assault 2. a. a strong continued pressure b. the sideways force or pressure of one part of a structure against another part (as of an arch against an abutment) c. the force produced by a propeller or by a jet or rocket engine that drives a vehicle (as an aircraft) forward d. a nearly horizontal geological fault 3. a. a forward or upward push b. a movement (as by a group of people) in a specified direction 4. a. salient or essential element or meaning <

the thrust of the argument

> b. principal concern or objective <

the plan's major thrust is testing — Ryan Lizza

>