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throe definition

throe (t̸hrō)

noun

a spasm or pang of pain: usually used in pl. the throes of childbirth, death throes

Etymology: ME throwe, prob. < OE thrawu, pain, affliction, akin to ON thrā, strong yearning < IE *treu- (> Gr trauma, a wound) < base *ter-, to rub, grind > throw

throe Idioms

in the throes of

in the act of struggling with (a problem, decision, task, etc.)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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