tossn.1
/tɒs/, /tɔːs/, U.S. /tɔs/, /tɑs/ An act of tossing.† 2. A state of agitation or commotion. Obsolete.† 5. A bout, an encounter. Scottish. Obsolete.† 8. (?) A payment. Obsolete.
1. A pitching up and down or to and fro.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > [noun] > tossing about > instance of
canvass1611
toss1634
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile To Earle of Pembroke sig. A3 This poore Barque..hath endurde many tosses at Sea, and is now tost on Land.
1801 R. Southey Thalaba II. xi. 295 The little boat rides rapidly, And now pitches with shorter toss it heaves Upon the heavier swell.
a1849 Sir R. Wilson in Life (1862) I. iii. 139 The continual toss almost made me mad.
1859 Habits Good Society ix. 286 The man who gives your hand one toss, as if he were ringing the dinner-bell.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > [noun]
stirringc888
maleasea1300
uneasea1300
diseasec1330
perturbationa1382
unrestfulnessc1384
disturbancea1387
unroc1390
distroublancea1400
perturbancec1425
unquietnessc1460
inquietation1461
conturbationc1470
unheart's-ease1470
distroubling1487
wanease15..
inquietness?1504
unrufe1508
sturt1513
pertroublancea1522
inquieting1527
unquieting1548
turmoiling1550
unquiet1551
agitation?1555
storm1569
wanrest1570
discountenance1577
float1579
disquiet1581
brangling1584
diseasefulnessa1586
restlessness1597
hurry1600
disturbancy1603
disquietment1606
disordera1616
laruma1616
uneasinessa1616
diseasementa1617
discomposture1622
discomposition1624
whirr1628
discomposednessa1631
discomposure1632
pother1638
incomposedness1653
inquietude1658
uneasefulness1661
toss1666
disquietednessa1680
intranquillitya1699
disquietude1709
bosom-broil1742
discomfort1779
rufflement1806
feeze1825
uncomfortableness1828
discomforture1832
astasia1839
dysphoria1842
purr1842
peacelessness1852
palaver1899
perturbment1901
heebie-jeebies1923
wahala1966
agita1979
1666 S. Pepys Diary 2 June (1972) VII. 140 This put us at the board into a Tosse.
1667 S. Pepys Diary 10 Oct. (1974) VIII. 472 Lord, what a tosse I was for some time in.
a1734 R. North Lives of Norths (1826) II. 319 You can easily imagine what a toss I was in, to lie about a week aboard the ship for want of pratique.
1837 H. W. Longfellow in S. Longfellow Life H. W. Longfellow (1891) I. 278 The Little-Pedlington community of Boston is in a great toss,..first about the college, and then about Dr. Channing and the abolitionists.
3.
a. An act of casting, pitching, throwing, or hurling; a throw, a pitch. full toss, in Cricket, the delivery of a ball which does not touch the ground in its flight between the wickets.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impelling or driving > projecting through space or throwing > [noun] > an act of
wurpc950
cast1382
sling1530
throw1530
fling1590
pick1627
heave1640
toss1660
1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 119 The Criminal..expected death, a tosse or two at the least.
1833 J. Nyren Young Cricketer's Tutor 81 By one stroke from a toss that he hit behind him, we got ten runs.
1862 J. Pycroft Cricket Tutor 52 Some balls of a loose sort—Volleys, Long-hops, and Tosses.
b. to take a toss: to suffer a fall from a horse; also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > riding on horse (or other animal) > ride a horse (or other animal) [verb (intransitive)] > fall off
wendc1300
flit1430
unhorse1583
to be floored1826
to come (fall, get) a cropper1858
to come (also have) a buster1874
to come off1874
volunteer1890
to take a toss1917
1917 Strand Mag. 53 606/2 Golly! He took a toss and a half!
1923 Westm. Gaz. 14 Mar. The Prince of Wales took a toss in the second race.
1926 J. Galsworthy Silver Spoon i. xiv. 101 The Government had ‘taken their toss’ over the Editor.
1949 M. Steen Twilight on Floods iv. x. 699 By Jove, old boy, she's taken a toss for you!
1966 J. Chamier Cannonball xii. 115 She's out of your league, me lad, and you'll take a most almighty toss.
1973 ‘M. Innes’ Appleby's Answer v. 47 The red-haired Lady Curricle, who had ‘taken a toss’, you will remember, over a hedge.
c. U.S. slang. A search (of a building or person) conducted by the police. Cf. toss v. 1c.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > law enforcement > investigation of crime > [noun] > types of search
strip-search1947
body search1961
sweep1966
toss1970
bag job1971
1970 L. Sanders Anderson Tapes xciv. 220 The author was allowed to attend as an observer but not active participant in the search. The toss of the above premises..was..conducted with professional skill.
1972 J. Mills Rep. to Commissioner 86 You wanta give her a toss, give her a toss, but let's not stand here all night.
4.
a. A sudden jerk; esp. a quick upward or backward movement of the head.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > sudden movement > [noun] > jerking > a jerk
spang1513
lipe1545
job1560
jert1568
abraid1570
jerk1575
flirta1592
yark1610
slip1615
flerka1653
hitch1674
toss1676
hotch1721
saccade1728
surge1748
flip1821
snatch1822
fling1826
kick1835
chuckc1843
jolt1849
1676 J. Dryden in G. Etherege Man of Mode Epil. 22 His various modes from various Fathers follow, One taught the Toss, and one the new French wallow.
1718 Free-thinker No. 17. 2 She throws up her Head with a scornful Toss.
1836 J. Gilbert Christian Atonem. viii. 335 The question is dismissed from the minds of some with an indignant toss.
1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair xlviii. 427 She walked into the..apartments with a toss of the head which would have befitted an empress.
b. A spread or fall (of hair).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > hair > hair of head > [noun]
lockeOE
faxc900
hairc1000
hairc1000
headOE
topc1275
toppingc1400
peruke1548
fleece1577
crine1581
head of hair1587
poll1603
a fell of haira1616
thatcha1634
maidenhair1648
chevelure1652
wool1697
toupet1834
nob-thatch1846
barnet1857
toss1946
1946 D. C. Peattie Road of Naturalist (U.K. ed.) i. 13 My wife lay hiding from the light in the toss of her hair.
1978 J. Updike Coup (1979) vi. 233 Ezana looked at her and saw beyond the brassy toss of her hair.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > [noun] > bout or attack of
onfalleOE
cothec1000
bitc1175
accessc1300
attacha1400
shota1400
swalma1400
storm1540
excess?1541
accession1565
qualm1565
oncome1570
grasha1610
attachment1625
ingruence1635
turn1653
attack1665
fit1667
surprise1670
drow1727
tossa1732
irruption1732
sick1808
tout1808
whither1808
spell1856
go1867
whip1891
society > society and the community > dissent > quarrel or quarrelling > [noun] > a quarrel
controversy1448
tencion?1473
brulyie1531
pique1532
feudc1565
quarrel1566
jar1583
controverse1596
brack1600
outcast1620
rixation1623
controversarya1635
simultya1637
outfall1647
outfallingc1650
controversion1658
démêlé1661
embroilment1667
strut1677
risse1684
rubber1688
fray1702
brulyiement1718
fallout1725
tossa1732
embroil1742
ding-dong?1760
pilget1777
fratch1805
spar1836
splutter1838
bust-up1842
whid1847
chip1854
kass-kass1873
wap1887
run-in1894
go-round1898
blue1943
hassle1945
square-up?1949
ruck1958
a1732 T. Boston Memoirs (1776) x. 328 I had a toss with Mr. Murray.., he affirming, and I denying that I had given them ground by word or deed.
a1732 T. Boston View this & Other World (1775) viii. 401 You may get enough ado even to die, through a vehement toss of sickness.
6.
a. An act of tossing a coin: see toss v. 9, to toss up at Phrasal verbs; a decision arrived at by this means: see toss-up at sense 10, and cf. pitch-and-toss n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > [noun] > choosing by casting lots > tossing a coin
toss-up1752
toss1798
swindle1868
spin1882
1798 T. Jefferson Writings IV. 227 The question of war and peace depends now on a toss of cross and pile.
1838 A. De Morgan Ess. Probabilities 75 Let us find the probability that, out of 200 tosses with a halfpenny, there shall be exactly 100 heads and 100 tails.
1859 All Year Round 23 July 305 The town won the toss for innings.
1887 L. Stephen in Dict. National Biogr. XI. 467/2 They..decided by the toss of a halfpenny that Concanen should defend the ministry.
b. U.S. toss and catch: = pitch-and-toss n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > pitch and toss, etc. > [noun]
vanning1606
pitch-and-chuck1688
pitch-and-hustle1688
chuck-farthing1699
hustle-cap1709
chuck1711
pitch-and-toss1721
pitch-farthing1737
pitch1745
chock1819
pinch1828
pitch-penny1830
chuck-hole1837
chuck-halfpenny1838
toss-halfpenny1848
three-up1851
chuck-button1863
toss-penny1874
toss and catch1904
1904 Atlantic Monthly Oct. 477 The smutty-handed Smoot playing at toss and catch with his conscience and honor.
c. to argue the toss: to dispute a decision or opinion.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > putting forward for discussion > put forward for discussion [verb (intransitive)] > dispute a decision
to argue the toss1925
1925 E. Fraser & J. Gibbons Soldier & Sailor Words 288 Toss, to argue the, to dispute: wrangle: to have too much to say.
1945 Penguin New Writing 24 84 Poetry was never much in my line, except Shelley, and Terry didn't think much of him, so..we argued the toss about it.
1958 Economist 11 Jan. 92/2 The Prime Minister's..venture..cannot do more than clear the way... More is involved than just arguing the tosses of the moment.
1978 ‘M. Underwood’ Crooked Wood iv. 61 He was not in a strong position to argue the toss.
d. figurative. In negative contexts: a jot, a whit, a very small amount. Usually in not to care (or give) a toss. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > indifference > [verb (intransitive)]
to put in no chaloir1477
not to care1490
to let the world wag (as it will)c1525
not to care a chip1556
to hang loose (to)1591
(to bid, care, give) a fig, or fig's end for1632
not to careor matter a farthing1647
not to care a doit1660
(not) to care twopencea1744
not to give a curse (also damn)1763
not to care a dump1821
not to care beans1833
not to care a darn1840
not to give a darn1840
not to care a straw (two, three straws)1861
not to care (also give) a whoop1867
(to care) not a fouter1871
not to care (or give) a toss1876
not to give (also care) a fuck1879
je m'en fiche1889
not to care a dit(e)1907
je m'en fous1918
not to give a shit1918
to pay no nevermind1946
not to give a sod1949
not to give (also care) a monkey's (fuck)1960
not to give a stuff1974
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda II. iv. xxviii. 209 I don't care a toss where you are.
1925 P. Gibbs Unchanging Quest xviii. 132 She..didn't care a toss what people thought of her.
1973 Time Out 2–5 Mar. 13/1 I don't give a toss whether he's black, white or purple.
1979 Bull. Yorks. Dial. Soc. No. 26. 11 Ah deean't odd wi them as mooan As prices mak em cross. Then spend ther brass on eeaps o things Wat isn't woth a toss.
7. The throwing off of homing pigeons in a trial of their flight and homing powers.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > pigeon racing > [noun] > releasing birds
toss1882
1882 J. L. Burgess Homing Fancier's Ann. 11 The intermediate tosses were Redhill, 184 miles from Brussels, and Worcester, 280 miles.
1897 Westm. Gaz. 1 June 9/2 As some of the ‘tosses’ numbered 6,000 birds at one time, the sight was a remarkable one.
1899 19th Cent. May . 819 The first of these two experimental tosses took place on the 17th of December last year.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > payment > [noun]
waringc1315
yielding1340
payment1370
pay1440
pitchc1500
resolute1548
toss1630
payout1917
1630 P. Massinger Picture sig. Fv Yet not to take From the magnificence of the King, I will Dispence his bounty to but as a page To wait on mine, for other tosses take A hundred thousand crownes.
9. A measure for sprats: see quot. 1851.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > animals for food > seafood > [noun] > fish > quantity of fish
stickOE
mease1332
warp1436
bind1477
wisp1521
cast1587
strikea1690
turna1690
cran1797
toss1851
swill1894
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 69/2 They [sc. sprats] are sold at Billingsgate by the ‘toss’, or ‘chuck’, which is about half a bushel, and weighs from 40 lbs. to 50 lbs.
10. toss-up.
a. The throwing up of a coin to arrive at a decision: see to toss up at toss v. Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > [noun] > choosing by casting lots > tossing a coin
toss-up1752
toss1798
swindle1868
spin1882
1752 Game at Cricket in New Universal Mag. Nov. 581/1 The party that wins the toss-up may order which side shall go in first, at his option.
1827 J. Bentham Rationale Judicial Evid. V. ix. iii. iii. 64 What charity-boy..was ever at a loss to know that the toss-up of a halfpenny was worth a farthing?
1868 ‘S. Daryl’ Routledge's Handbk. Quoits & Bowls 48 A toss-up decides which party is to play first.
b. figurative. A chance where the probability either way is equal; an even chance. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [noun] > chance or opportunity > even chance
jeopardyc1374
even lay1584
an equal, even wager1638
toss-up1809
turn-up1810
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas IV. xi. vii. 311 It is a toss up who fails and who succeeds.
1843 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) xii. 150 It was a toss-up with Tom Pinch whether he should laugh or cry.
1862 J. Skelton Nugæ Criticæ vi. 257 It is generally the merest ‘toss-up’ what verdict the..critic pronounces on any work.
1888 Times (Weekly ed.) 14 Sept. 15/1 It was a toss up whether Lord Salisbury was going to offer them an Irish Government or a Coercion Act.
11. toss-off n. coarse slang an act of masturbation; cf. to toss off 4 at toss v. Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > masturbation > [noun] > act of
toss-off1735
jerk-off1928
rub-off1937
wank1948
1735 Rake's Progress iii. 19 Or loudly sing some bawdy Song, Then drops into St. D—n's C—h, And take a Toss-off in the Porch.
12. toss pillow n. U.S. = scatter cushion at scatter v. Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > support or rest > [noun] > cushion > scatter cushion
toss pillow1956
1956 Sears, Roebuck Catal. Fall–Winter 897 (heading) Toss pillows .. new colors .. styles .. shapes.
1978 Washington Post 26 Mar. (Mag. section) 20/2 (advt.) Matching toss pillows $10 each.
Draft additions March 2007
British slang. Nonsense, rubbish. Frequently in a load of (old) toss. Cf. to toss off 4 at toss v. Phrasal verbs, tosh n.2, and also sense 6d.
ΚΠ
1990 Viz. Dec. 7/3 (cartoon caption) See this book Tom... Yes, I've read it actually. Yeah. Me n'all. Right load of toss, isn't it. But at sixteen quid a throw, he must be coining it in.
1995 New Musical Express 28 Oct. 53/1 The..bleedin' quadriplegic music-hall toss that is ‘Fortune Fish’.
2003 Birmingham Post (Nexis) 20 Feb. 15 This pop lark's a load of old toss.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
tossn.2
dialect.
A heap, stack; = tass n.1
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > an assemblage or collection > [noun] > mass formed by collection of particles > an accumulation > heap or pile
heapc725
cockeOE
hill1297
tassc1330
glub1382
mow?1424
bulkc1440
pile1440
pie1526
bing1528
borwen1570
ruck1601
rick1608
wreck1612
congest1625
castle1636
coacervation1650
congestion1664
cop1666
cumble1694
bin1695
toss1695
thurrock1708
rucklea1725
burrow1784
mound1788
wad1805
stook1865
boorach1868
barrow1869
sorites1871
tump1892
fid1926
clamp-
1695 W. Kennett Parochial Antiq. Gloss. at Thassare To lay up hay or corn into a tass, toss, stack or mow.
1695 W. Kennett Parochial Antiq. Gloss. at Thassare A mow of corn in a barn is called in Kent the toss.
1847–78 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words Toss, the mow or bay of a barn into which the corn is put preparatory to its being threshed.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
† tossn.3
Variant of or misprint for tass n.2
ΚΠ
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 231 A Silver Toss, or Cup.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 399 Bowls of Wine,..most of Silver, some of Gold, which we call a Toss, and is made like a Wooden Dish.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
tossv.
/tɒs/, /tɔːs/, U.S. /tɔs/, /tɑs/ I. transitive.† 2. To turn over and over, to turn the leaves of (a book, etc.). Obsolete.
1.
a. To throw, pitch, or fling about, here and there, or to and fro: expressing the action of wind or wave, or the light, careless, or disdainful action of a person, on something easily moved.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > agitate [verb (transitive)] > toss about
wevea1375
chulle138.
shagc1380
roam?a1400
toss1511
dindle-dandle?1555
betoss1582
tost1606
rout1829
1511 Pylgrymage Richarde Guylforde (Pynson) f. lijv Howbeit the wroughte Sees tossyd and rolled vs ryght greuously.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Matt. xiv. f. xxv The shippe was in the middes of the see, and was toost with waves.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Jas. i. 6 Lyke the waves off the see, tost off the wynde.
1526 W. Bonde Rosary sig. Biii Nat restyng, they dyde cary the & tosse the from place to place.
1603 Miracles Our Saviour in E. Farr Sel. Poetry Reign James I (1848) 356 The Shaking ships amid the seas ytost.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 19 The shippes are tossed they know not where.
1782 W. Cowper Parrot i A native of the gorgeous east, By many a billow tost.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond II. vii. 129 Mistress Beatrix,..tossing her rustling, flowing draperies about her, and quitting the room, followed by her mother.
1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid i, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 95 We Troy's ill-starred sons, long tossed by the winds on the deep.
b. figurative or in figurative context.
ΚΠ
?1542 H. Brinkelow Complaynt Roderyck Mors xi. sig. C5v How men be tossed from one court to a nother.
?1542 H. Brinkelow Complaynt Roderyck Mors xxiv. sig. H3v He that denyeth them but one grote..how will thei tosse hym in the lawe.
1569 W. Samuel Abridgem. Olde Test.: Job vii. sig. M.v Both night and day they haue their toyl with woork and dreames itost.
1592 G. Harvey Foure Lett. iii, in Wks. (1884) I. 195 He tost his imagination a thousand waies.
1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne viii. xlv. 150 But thou who hast part of thy race to ronne, With haps and hazards of this world itost.
1611 Bible (King James) Eph. iv. 14 That we..be no more children, tossed to and fro, and caried about with euery winde of doctrine. View more context for this quotation
1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island xii. lii. 171 Though I poore changeling rove, Tost up and down in waves of worldly floud.
1727 J. Gay Fables I. xvi. 54 Here, there, by various fortune tost.
1823 T. Chalmers Serm. I. 245 This unhappy man thus tost and bewildered and thrown into a general unceasing Frenzy.
1862 Mrs. H. Wood Mrs. Halliburton's Troubles I. i. 16 I have been tossed about a good deal of late years.
c. U.S. slang. To search (a building or person) in the course of a police investigation. Cf. toss n.1 3c.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > law enforcement > investigation of crime > investigate or discover as a detective [verb (transitive)] > search
toss1939
strip-search1947
1939 Fortune July 102/2 [He] sent a couple of detectives across town to ‘toss their flat’ (i.e. search their apartment).
1969 ‘P. Kavanagh’ Such Men are Dangerous vii. 82 They tossed the room while I had breakfast.
1972 B. Garfield Line of Succession iii. 186 He had been tossed seven times..but no drugs had been found on him.
1980 ‘E. McBain’ Ghosts iii. 56 We ought to try for an order to toss his apartment.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > reading > [verb (transitive)] > turn pages
to turn overc1405
revolve1485
volve1523
toss1555
verse1606
1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions Ded. 2 The searche of wisedome and vertue, for whose sake either we tosse, or oughte to tosse so many papers and tongues.
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 35 I will to Athens ther to tosse my bookes.
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) iii. 159 Whether in tossing ouer your bookes, you haue light vpon that place where Cicero giueth a nip to his daughter.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke Pref. What labour it was to tomble, tosse, and search so manie bookes.
a1732 T. Boston Memoirs (1776) xi. 387 The huge toil in tossing lexicons and the Hebrew concordance.
3. † b. To fling (hay, wool, etc.) abroad, so as to loosen the mass. Obsolete except as in 1.
a. To shake, shake up, stir up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > agitate [verb (transitive)]
weigha1000
dreveOE
ruska1300
commovec1374
to-stira1382
busy?c1400
tormenta1492
squalper?1527
toss1557
jumble1568
buskle1573
agitate1599
disturb1599
to work up1615
vex1627
conturbate1657
jerry-mumble1709
rejumble1755
jerrycummumble1785
reesle1903
1557 Bible (Whittingham) Matt. xxiv. 29 The powers of heaven shall be tossed.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 208 Thomas..was much tossed and shaken.
1811 A. de Beauclerc Ora & Juliet I. 205 She tossed the cup after breakfast, and read the fortunes of the maid-servants.
1836 M. Scott Cruise of Midge xx. 349 A tall solitary palm shot up and tossed its wide-spreading, fan-like leaves in the night wind.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] > space out > toss so as to loosen a mass
toss1557
1557 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandrie sig. C.iiii With tossing and raking, and setting on cox: the grasse that was grene, is now hay for an ox.
1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 55v No turning of peason, till carrige yea make,..by turning & tossing, they shed as they lie.
1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades vi. 118 Of some Greeke thou shalt become the slaue Who to his country shal thee leade to tease and tosse his wul.
c. Tin-refining. (See quot. 1884.)
ΚΠ
1884 C. G. W. Lock Workshop Receipts 3rd Ser. 452/1 The refining [of tin] may be divided into two stages, liquation and tossing... The same effect is sometimes produced by ‘tossing’, or raising the metal in ladles, and pouring, from some height through the air, back again into the pan.
d. In cookery, to stir or turn (food) over, esp. so as to coat it with butter, oil, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > general preparation processes > perform general preparation processes [verb (transitive)] > toss
toss1723
flap1847
1723 J. Nott Cook's & Confectioner's Dict. sig. C7v Artichokes with Cream... Toss them up with Butter.
1877 E. S. Dallas Kettner's Bk. of Table 120 The fillets..are to be lightly tossed in butter, taking care not to colour them.
1913 C. M. Pearse Kitchen Garden & Cook 197 Separate the endive into tufts. Toss these in the salad dressing.
1952 G. W. Brace Spire (1953) viii. 69 The salad was tossed amid murmurs of pleasure.
1976 ‘Trevanian’ Main (1977) v. 109 You don't stir a salad. You toss it.
4.
a. figurative. To disturb or agitate socially or politically.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > unruliness > political unrest > politically unsettle [verb (transitive)] > cause or throw into tumult
toss1552
to set in broil1577
embroil1619
convulse1796
1552 R. Ascham Rep. Affaires Germany 36 Cæsar..also tossed the whole world with battle & slaughter, even almost from the sun setting unto the sun rising.
1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. (1636) 250 Hee tossed both Sea, and Land with mixture of his miseries.
1796 E. Burke Two Lett. Peace Regicide Directory France ii, in Wks. (1808) VIII. 256 The..speculator Harrington, who has tossed about society into all forms.
b. To disquiet or agitate in mind; to set in commotion, as by shifting opinions, feelings, circumstances, or influences; to disturb, disorder.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > upset or perturb [verb (transitive)]
to-wendc893
mingeOE
dreveOE
angerc1175
sturb?c1225
worec1225
troublec1230
sturble1303
disturbc1305
movea1325
disturblec1330
drubblea1340
drovec1350
distroublec1369
tempestc1374
outsturba1382
unresta1382
stroublec1384
unquietc1384
conturb1393
mismaya1400
unquemea1400
uneasec1400
discomfita1425
smite?a1425
perturbc1425
pertrouble?1435
inquiet1486
toss1526
alter1529
disquiet1530
turmoil1530
perturbate1533
broil1548
mis-set?1553
shake1567
parbruilyiec1586
agitate1587
roil1590
transpose1594
discompose1603
harrow1609
hurry1611
obturb1623
shog1636
untune1638
alarm1649
disorder1655
begruntlea1670
pother1692
disconcert1695
ruffle1701
tempestuate1702
rough1777
caddle1781
to put out1796
upset1805
discomfort1806
start1821
faze1830
bother1832
to put aback1833
to put about1843
raft1844
queer1845
rattle1865
to turn over1865
untranquillize1874
hack1881
rock1881
to shake up1884
to put off1909
to go (also pass) through a phase1913
to weird out1970
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. MMMiiii To be exercised & tossed in diuerse temptacions.
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. i. f. 53 Contrary motions do tosse and diuersly draw his soule.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. i. sig. B2v That troublous dreame gan freshly tosse his braine.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. v. 199 Thus was I tost..With strugling doubts.
1833 H. Martineau Tale of Tyne iv The seamen were tossed in spirit through fear of the press gang.
1834 J. MacDonald in Tweedie Life (1849) iii. 238 My mind is tossed by various considerations.
II. intransitive. (Related to I.)† 5. To be in mental agitation or distraction; to be disquieted in mind or circumstances. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > be upset or perturbed [verb (intransitive)]
sweata1400
ail1485
toss1517
heavec1540
seethe1609
to be in a way1855
stew1917
1517 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1928) ii. 16 So forthe I went tossynge on my brayne.
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 35/1 Katheryne whiche longe tyme tossed in either fortune sommetime in wealth, ofte in aduersitye.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias i. viii. 20 b The Captaine generall and the other Captaines thus tossing vp and downe, to and fro, as well with their ships, as also in their mindes, determined to beare towards the Ilande of Mombassa.
6.
a. for reflexive. To fling or jerk oneself about; to move about restlessly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > restlessness > [verb (intransitive)]
fikec1220
walka1225
shrugc1460
friga1500
fridgea1550
toss1560
fidge1575
trifle1618
figglea1652
jiffle1674
nestle1699
fidget1753
rummage1755
fissle1786
1560 Bible (Geneva) Job vii. 4 I am euen ful with tossing to and fro vnto the dawning of the day.
1575 W. Stevenson Gammer Gurtons Nedle i. v. sig. Aiiiiv See how Hodg lieth tomblynge and tossing amids the floure.
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 151 Burning fevers shall leave you never a whit sooner,..if you tosse in woven imagerie,..than if you lie under..ordinarie coverings.
a1771 T. Gray Ode in W. Mason Mem. Life & Writings (1775) 237 Wretch, that long has tost On the thorny bed of pain.
1886 E. Whitaker Tip Cat (new ed.) xix The child was tossing and turning and talking in her sleep.
b. for passive. To be flung or rocked about; to be kept in motion; to be agitated.
ΚΠ
1582 [see sense 5].
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice i. i. 8 Your minde is tossing on the Ocean. View more context for this quotation
1809 J. C. Moore Campaign in Spain 2 The soldiers..remained tossing on board the crowded transports.
1827 R. Pollok Course of Time II. x. 249 The unfathomable lake, Tossing with tides of dark, tempestuous wrath.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. xviii. 131 A fleet of merchantmen tossing on the waves.
1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan i. i. 20 Roots that cling as the branches toss.
III. transitive.
* To throw in a specified direction.
7.
a. To throw, cast, pitch, fling, hurl (without any notion of agitation).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impelling or driving > projecting through space or throwing > throw [verb (transitive)]
warpc888
torvec1000
castc1230
slingc1290
forthcasta1300
throwc1300
lancec1330
hit1362
pitchc1380
slentc1380
glenta1400
launcha1400
routc1400
waltc1400
flingc1420
jeta1450
vire1487
ajet1490
hurl1563
toss1570
kest1590
picka1600
peck1611
jaculate1623
conject1625
elance1718
squail1876
tipple1887
bish1940
biff1941
slap1957
welly1986
1570 B. Googe tr. T. Kirchmeyer Popish Kingdome iv. f. 47v The Dice are shakte and tost, and Cardes apace they teare.
1611 Bible (King James) Isa. xxii. 18 He will surely violently turne and tosse thee, like a ball into a large countrey. View more context for this quotation
1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard Hist. Life Duke of Espernon ii. vi. 283 Had he known his temerity, he would have caus'd Marsillac to have been tost out of the Windows.
1700 S. L. tr. C. Frick Relation Voy. in tr. C. Frick & C. Schweitzer Relation Two Voy. E.-Indies 139 We lost one Man, who was Tossed off the Maintop Mast into the Sea.
1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 31 July (1965) I. 417 The Governour's Daughter..toss'd a note to him over the Wall.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake iii. 115 The falc'ner tossed his hawk away.
1830 W. Cobbett Rural Rides in Weekly Polit. Reg. 17 Apr. 483 Two or three, or even one man, may, if not tossed out at once, disturb and interrupt every thing.
1853 C. Kingsley Hypatia II. i. 3 He tossed his purse among the crowd.
1857 E. L. Birkett Bird's Urinary Deposits (ed. 5) 217 It seems now to run some risk of being tossed aside as a thing of no consequence.
b. absol. To fling oneself (like a body tossed).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move swiftly in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move with impetuous speed
leapOE
swengec1000
swingOE
throwc1275
hurla1300
dashc1300
fling1300
stetec1330
lance?a1400
slinga1400
whirlc1400
wringc1400
dingc1450
whither1487
chop1555
to cast (also lay) one's heels in one's neck1599
clap1603
precipitate1622
teara1627
toss1727
to keep on at a score1807
whing1882
whirlwind1894
to go off full score1900
careen1923
1727 E. Young Universal Passion: Satire V 24 They throw their persons with a hoydon-air Across the room, and toss into the chair.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond I. xiii. 287 She tossed out of the room, being in one of her flighty humours then.
8.
a. esp. Of two players: To throw, or impel by hitting (a ball, etc.) to and fro between them: cf. to toss from pillar to post at pillar n. 8. Often figurative or in figurative context.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > [verb (transitive)] > play ball in specific way
tossc1530
send1782
place1819
dowf1825
loft1857
belt1870
screw1881
smash1882
English1884
carry1889
slice1890
mishit1903
balloon1904
rainbow1906
rifle1914
tuck1958
stroke1960
c1530 A. Barclay Egloges iii. sig. Niv From post vnto pyller, tossyd shall thou be.
a1533 J. Frith Against Rastel (?1535–6) sig. Av It is not Inoughe for a man playinge at tennes to tosse the ball agayn, but he must so tosse it that the tother take it not.
1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Biiiv To playe tenise or tosse the ball.
1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 220 This Balle was busily tossed betweene the King & the Pope.
1879 J. Stainer Music of Bible 83 Shrill echoes ever and anon tossed from side to side.
b. figurative, spec. To bandy (a subject or question) from one side to the other in debate; to discuss; to make the subject of talk.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > debate, disputation, argument > hold discussions about, debate [verb (transitive)] > from mouth to mouth
toss?c1550
bandy1642
branle1654
toss-about1844
fence1887
?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Three Bks. Eng. Hist. (1844) 8 The Frenche, somewhat appalled,..tossed the matter amongst themselves what best were to do.
1637 G. Gillespie Dispute against Eng.-Popish Ceremonies iii. viii. 177 When questions and controversies of Faith, are tossed in the Church.
1700 Blair in W. S. Perry Hist. Coll. Amer. Colonial Church: Virginia (1870) I. 68 There is nothing more usual among schollars..than to toss an argument, and that sometimes to too great a height of heat and animosity.
1795 E. Burke Let. 24 Aug. in Corr. (1969) VIII. 308 If we were to toss the matter about..for twenty days, we could only end as we begun.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Lancelot & Elaine 233 in Idylls of King Then she, who..heard her name so tost about, Flush'd slightly at the slight disparagement.
** spec. To throw up.
9. figurative.1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1778 II. 256 I don't care how often, or how high he tosses me, when only friends are present.1843 E. Bulwer-Lytton Last of Barons II. iv. ii. 27 He thinks he tosseth all London on his own horns.
a. To throw up, throw into the air; esp. to throw (a coin, etc.) up, to see how it falls; = to toss up at Phrasal verbs. to toss in a blanket, to throw (a person) upward repeatedly from a blanket held slackly at each corner: see blanket n. 2 to toss a pancake, to throw it up so that it falls back into the pan with the other side up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > agitate [verb (transitive)] > toss about > in blanket
to toss in a blanket1526
blanket1616
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > raising > make to go up or cause to rise [verb (transitive)] > cast or throw up
upcastc1386
upbraida1525
toss1526
to cast up1557
plunge1567
uphurl1582
to toss up1588
upthrowc1614
sky1802
uptoss1828
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. KKKv As a ball, whiche if it be tossed and cast vp streyght, it falleth down..directly..in the hande of hym that cast it vp.
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Zombata, a tossing in a blanket.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. iv. 224 Ah rascally slaue! I will tosse the rogue in a blanket.
1619 Pasquils Palinodia sig. Dv And euery man and maide doe take their turne, And tosse their Pancakes vp for feare they burne.
1682 J. Dryden Mac Flecknoe 5 The like was ne're in Epsom Blankets Tost.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 45 He that has a minde to be tossed in the Air, sits down on a good seat of Wood, that is fastened to the end of the Ropes.
1688 in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. IV. 125 Capt. Ouseley is said to be come to town to give his reasons for tossing the Mayor of Scarborough in a blanket.
a1711 T. Ken Wks. (1721) IV. 526 A mad furious Bull..Who gor'd and toss'd her to the Sky.
1713 E. Young Poem on Last Day i. 18 The foaming Surges tost on High.
a1756 E. Haywood New Present (1771) 206 Turn it [a pancake] or, if you can, toss it, which is much better.
1841 G. Catlin Lett. N. Amer. Indians I. iv. 25 Mons. Chardon ‘tossed the feather’ (a custom always observed, to try the course of the wind).
1863 C. Kingsley Water-babies i. 4 He was tossing half-pennies with the other boys.
1900 G. C. Brodrick Mem. & Impr. 4 The newly-elected members were bound to undergo the ceremony of ‘chairing’, and were regularly ‘tossed’ at a particular spot.
b. absol. = to toss up at Phrasal verbs (Cf. toss n.1 9.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > make types of choice [verb (intransitive)] > choose or decide by lot > toss coin
to cast cross and pile1637
to toss up1704
toss1831
flip1879
1831 Laws of Cricket in New Sporting Mag. Aug. 297/2 The parties shall toss for the choice of innings.
1893 D. J. Rankin Zambesi Basin iv. 66 We tossed who should have first shot. My friend won.
c. To wager with (a person) on the toss of a coin. Usually const. for (something).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > games of chance > gamble at a game [verb (transitive)] > toss with
toss1851
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 196/2 To ‘toss the pieman’ is a favourite pastime with costermongers' boys... If the pieman win the toss, he receives 1d. without giving a pie.
1858 G. H. Lewes Sea-side Stud. iv. i. 271 We used to ‘toss’ the pieman for epicurean slices of pudding—a vulgar, but seductive form of juvenile gambling.
1942 P. G. Wodehouse Money in Bank xv. 151 He was in the frame of mind when he would have patted a small boy on the head and given him sixpence, though it is probable that a moment later he would have tossed him for it and won it back again.
1983 ‘D. Shannon’ Exploit of Death (1984) i. 18 ‘I'll toss you for the job.’ Conway produced a quarter and flipped it.
d. To release (a homing pigeon) in a race or trial flight. Cf. toss n.1 7.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > pigeon racing > race pigeons [verb (transitive)] > release birds
toss1882
1882 J. L. Burgess Homing Fancier's Ann. 10 Five hundred and eighty-nine birds were tossed at 4 a.m.
1911 Encycl. Brit. XXI. 596/2 Training..consists in taking it [sc. the bird] out in a closed wicker basket and liberating or ‘tossing’ it at gradually increasing distances from its loft.
10. † b. To drink out of (a cup, etc.), tilting it up; hence, to empty by drinking; = to toss off at Phrasal verbs. Obsolete.
a. To throw or jerk up suddenly without letting go; †spec. to brandish (arms) (obsolete). to toss oars, ‘to throw them up out of the rowlocks, and raise them perpendicularly an-end’ (Adm. Smyth).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > use or wield (a weapon) [verb (transitive)] > brandish
shakec1000
wevec1325
brandisha1340
flourishc1384
toss1590
wave1609
society > travel > travel by water > propelling boat by oars, paddle, or pole > [verb (intransitive)] > row > slacken speed or stop > raise oars out of water
to rest (also lie) on one's oars1726
to toss oars1830
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. vii. sig. G5 Sword,..speare,.. Where haue yee left your lord, that could so well you tosse?
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres iii. 37 The good Picquier ought to learne to tosse his pike well.
1626 W. Gouge Dignitie Chivalrie §11 More fit..to lift a pitchforke then to tosse a pike.
1697 J. Dryden Alexander's Feast vi. 6 Behold how they toss their Torches on high.
1715 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad I. iii. 323 Paris thy Son, and Sparta's King advance, In measur'd Lists to toss the weighty Lance.
1830 F. Marryat King's Own II. x. 143 The boats' crews tossed their oars while the cheers were given.
1894 C. N. Robinson Brit. Fleet 181 The junior salutes the senior, if the latter be royalty, or a flag-officer, by tossing oars.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > [verb (transitive)] > drink up or off
swap?1507
swingea1529
drink1535
uphalec1540
toss1568
trill off?1589
snapa1592
to toss offa1592
to turn down1593
to top off1598
drain1604
to take off1613
outdrinka1631
whip1639
swoop1648
epote1657
to fetch off1657
ebibe1689
fetch1691
to tip off1699
to sweep off1707
tip1784
to turn over1796
1568 U. Fulwell Like wil to Like B iv From morning til night I sit tossing the black bole.
1695 W. Congreve Love for Love iii. i. 54 For my Part, I mean to toss a Can, and remember my Sweet-Heart, a-fore I turn in.
1708 Hudson in T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 3 Aug. (O.H.S.) II. 123 Who wth our merry Greek tosst a bottle.
11. To lift, jerk, or throw up (the head, etc.) with a sudden, impatient, or spirited movement.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > sudden movement > cause to move suddenly [verb (transitive)] > jerk
braida1000
hitch1440
spang1513
jog1548
jert1566
jerk1582
gag1587
to toss up1588
tossa1618
thrip1674
shrug1678
flip1712
hotch1823
switch1842
slirt1870
hoick1898
quirk1978
a1618 J. Sylvester tr. Battail of Yvry in tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Diuine Weekes & Wks. (1621) 1095 Som savage Bull..tosses his head on high.
1678 J. Dryden All for Love i. 1 Sea-Horses..Toss'd up their heads, and dash'd the ooze about 'em.
1756 C. Smart tr. Horace Satires i. vi, in tr. Horace Wks. (1826) II. 55 Do you..toss up your nose at obscure people.
1822 W. Scott Fortunes of Nigel I. i. 26 Tossing his head as one who valued not the raillery to which he had been exposed.
1849 D. M. Mulock Ogilvies i The first speaker tossed her head.
Phrasal verbs
With adverbs. toss in to toss off to toss out to toss up † 3. To cook or dress (food, a meal) hastily; to prepare, to serve up. Also figurative. Obsolete.
To finish, to give up. New Zealand slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > abandon or relinquish (an activity or occupation)
remit1587
to give up1589
quit1607
to give off1613
to get out of ——1632
ding1852
to jack up1880
jack1902
to throw in1951
toss in1956
1956 D. M. Davin Sullen Bell ii. iv. 128 I'd toss it in for tonight, Miss Simm. It's an ugly night and you should get your train home.
1971 N.Z. Listener 19 Apr. 56/5 In the end they saw some hogsbacks up above the col so they tossed it in and glissaded down back to their bivvy.
1. To drink off with energetic action.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > [verb (transitive)] > drink up or off
swap?1507
swingea1529
drink1535
uphalec1540
toss1568
trill off?1589
snapa1592
to toss offa1592
to turn down1593
to top off1598
drain1604
to take off1613
outdrinka1631
whip1639
swoop1648
epote1657
to fetch off1657
ebibe1689
fetch1691
to tip off1699
to sweep off1707
tip1784
to turn over1796
a1592 R. Greene Frier Bacon (1594) sig. A3 Tossing of ale and milke in countrie cannes.
1816 T. L. Peacock Headlong Hall xi. 150 Having..insisted on every gentleman tossing off a half-pint bumper.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop ii. lxii. 149 Drink that... Toss it off, don't leave any heeltap.
2. To dispose of in an off-hand manner.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > indifference > be indifferent or show indifference to [verb (transitive)] > dismiss or reject (something) indifferently
to toss off1845
to shrug (something) off or aside1909
to give (a person) the elbow1938
1845 S. Judd Margaret ii. i. 218 Have you read Cynthia?.. It is a delightful thing to toss off a dull hour with.
1884 G. Allen Philistia II. 32 Herbert, having tossed off his coffee.
3. To do or make easily, without effort.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > find no difficulty in [verb (transitive)] > do easily
to take in one's stride1832
to do something (standing) on one's head1872
to toss off1874
could do something in one's sleep1953
1874 L. Troubridge Jrnl. 28 Feb. in Life amongst Troubridges (1999) 80 A new rage..for painting the panels of the shutters of our bedrooms..and they only take a jiffy to toss off.
1937 M. Hillis Orchids on your Budget vi. 111 Any man worth anything could toss off a rarebit or an omelet.
1979 Church Times 17 Aug. 7/1 [These books] do not provide bibliographical support for the learned references tossed off in the articles.
4. transitive and intransitive. To masturbate. slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > masturbation > masturbate [verb (reflexive)]
masturbate1857
to play with ——1879
to toss off1879
frigc1890
touch1892
to jerk off1904
to pull off1909
jackc1930
diddle1960
to jack off1967
manipulate1971
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > other types of sexual activity or intercourse > engage in other types of sexual activity or intercourse [verb (transitive)] > stimulate genitals of (a person) > cause to have orgasm by
frig1598
milk1616
to toss off1879
wank1905
to pull off1909
to bring off1916
to jerk off1969
masturbate1974
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > masturbation > masturbate [verb (intransitive)]
frig1598
mastuprate1623
masturbate1839
to jerk off1865
rub1902
to rub up1902
wank1905
to jack off1916
to pull one's (or the) pud (also pudding, wire, etc.)1927
to toss off1927
to play pocket billiards1940
to beat one's meat1948
to wank off1951
whack1969
to choke the chicken1975
fap2001
1879–80 Pearl (1970) 258 I don't like to see, though at me you might scoff, An old woman trying to toss herself off.
1915 L. Strachey Let. 12 Mar. in P. N. Furbank E. M. Forster (1979) II. i. 16 À propos of Maurice tossing himself off..you say—‘He knew what the price would be—a creeping apathy towards all things.’
1927 J. Joyce Let. 25 July (1966) III. 162 The verb ‘to toss off’ an expression for ‘to masturbate’.
1969 Jeremy 1 iii. 22/1 All they want to do is toss off in the cottage while they look at my prick.
1981 ‘D. Kavanagh’ Fiddle City iv. 82 Would you like me to toss you off?.. It's ten if you're worried about the price.
See preceding senses and out n.; in quot. 1759, to dress smartly, ‘trick out’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (intransitive)] > in specific way > dress up
to toss out1759
to tog it1819
prig1845
to rag out1849
buck up1854
to dress up1869
poon1943
priss1971
1759 O. Goldsmith Bee 13 Oct. 35 A damsel, tossed out in all the gaiety of fifteen.
1. See also preceding senses and up n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > sudden movement > cause to move suddenly [verb (transitive)] > jerk
braida1000
hitch1440
spang1513
jog1548
jert1566
jerk1582
gag1587
to toss up1588
tossa1618
thrip1674
shrug1678
flip1712
hotch1823
switch1842
slirt1870
hoick1898
quirk1978
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > raising > make to go up or cause to rise [verb (transitive)] > cast or throw up
upcastc1386
upbraida1525
toss1526
to cast up1557
plunge1567
uphurl1582
to toss up1588
upthrowc1614
sky1802
uptoss1828
1588 T. Deloney Queenes visiting Tilsburie (single sheet) Tossing vp her plume of feathers to them all as they did stand.
1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida iii. sig. E4 Rubbing my quiet bosome, tossing vp A gratefull spirit to omnipotence!
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 55 The Boat..lay as the Wind and the Sea had toss'd her up upon the Land.
1743 in Howell St. Trials (1813) XVII. 1179 One's hair is now tossed up in such a manner that its hard to distinguish between a person's own hair and a wig.
1840 F. Marryat Poor Jack vi. 28 We tossed up our oars, and laid by.
1859 Habits Good Society vii. 249 The head should..not [be] tossed up nor jerked on one side with that air of pertness.
2. absol. To toss a coin or some object in the air to wager on which side it will fall, or to determine a question by this: see head n.1 4b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > make types of choice [verb (intransitive)] > choose or decide by lot > toss coin
to cast cross and pile1637
to toss up1704
toss1831
flip1879
1704 Hymn Vict. lviii Victoria Tosses-up for Cross or Pile.
1762 J. Wilkes Let. to Earl Temple (1769) I. 31 They tossed up, and it fell to my adjutant to give the word.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas I. i. v. 52 Tossing up for heads or tails was not my ruling passion.
1861 C. Dickens Great Expectations II. xii. 201 Some inclining to both opinions said ‘toss up for it’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > prepare food [verb (transitive)] > quickly
to toss up1705
to knock up1869
to throw together1884
whang1980
1705 Acct. of Conf. between Duke of Buckingham & Father Fitzgerald in Duke of Buckingham Misc. Wks. II. 54 Our ancient Matron had tossed up a nice Breakfast, out of the remainders of the Capons.
1710 Tatler No. 258. ⁋1 To toss up the Fragments of a Feast into a Ragoust.
1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. vi. 137 The Booksellers..had a better Knack at tossing up a Title [for a book].
1817 W. Scott Rob Roy I. viii. 180 But you have not dined—we'll have something nice and lady-like—sweet and pretty, like yourself, tossed up in a trice.
Draft additions 1993
transitive. (Without adverb.) To discard or throw away. Cf. chuck v.2 2c. colloquial (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > reject > as useless or unneeded
to throw awaya1398
to have no use for1596
chuck1821
fling1847
scrap1902
scratch1923
pitch1968
toss1976
1976 Billings (Montana) Gaz. 20 June 2- b/1 But the large numbers of outdated books take up too much space and must be tossed, he added.
1985 Dirt Bike Mar. 14/3 The top end should be removed and inspected frequently... When that ring end gap exceeds the manual specs, toss it.
1989 M. H. Kingston Tripmaster Monkey (1990) i. 7 Wittman tossed his smoke and headed for an exit from the park.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
> see also
also refers to : toss-comb. form
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n.11630
n.21695
n.31698v.1511see also