thrust: Meaning and Definition of

thrust

Pronunciation: (thrust), [key]
— v., n. thrust, thrust•ing,
—v.t.
  1. to push forcibly; shove; put or drive with force: He thrust his way through the crowd. She thrust a dagger into his back.
  2. to put boldly forth or impose acceptance of: to thrust oneself into a conversation between others; to thrust a dollar into the waiter's hand.
  3. to extend; present: He thrust his fist in front of my face.
  4. to stab or pierce, as with a sword: She thrust his back with a dagger.
—v.i.
  1. to push against something.
  2. to push or force one's way, as against obstacles or through a crowd.
  3. to make a thrust, lunge, or stab at something.
—n.
  1. an act or instance of thrusting; a forcible push or shove; lunge or stab.
  2. a lunge or stab, as with a sword.
  3. a linear reactive force exerted by a propeller, propulsive gases, etc., to propel a ship, aircraft, etc.
  4. a compressive strain in the crust of the earth that, in its most characteristic development, produces reverse or thrust faults.
  5. the main point, purpose, or essence: The thrust of his speech was an urgent appeal for votes.
  6. a pushing force or pressure exerted by a thing or a part against a contiguous one.
  7. the downward and outward force exerted by an arch on each side.
  8. an organized military attack; assault; offensive.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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