tossn.¹

Brit.

/tɒs/,

/tɔːs/, U.S.

/tɔs/,

/tɑs/

Etymology: < toss v.

An act of tossing.

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.

†2. A state of agitation or commotion. Obsolete.

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.

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.

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

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.

†5. A bout, an encounter. Scottish. Obsolete.

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.

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.

†8. (?) A payment. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > payment > [noun]

waringc1315

yielding1340

payment1370

pay1440

pitchc1500

resolute1548

toss1630

payout1917

1630 P. Massinger Picture sig. F^v 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

Etymology: A variant of tass n.¹

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

Origin: A variant or alteration of another lexical item. Etymon: tass n.²

Etymology: Either a variant of or an error for tass n.²

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.

Brit.

/tɒs/,

/tɔːs/, U.S.

/tɔs/,

/tɑs/

Forms: Past tense and participle tossed /tɒst//-ɔː-/, also 1500s– tost.

Etymology: In use soon after 1500, and current in nearly all its senses by 1550. Origin uncertain: the only cognate word appears to be the Norwegian and Swedish dialect tossa to spread, strew (Aasen); Welsh tosio is from English.

I. transitive.

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. lij^v Howbeit the wroughte Sees tossyd and rolled vs ryght greuously.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) Matt. xiv. f. xx^v 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. C5^v How men be tossed from one court to a nother.

?1542 H. Brinkelow Complaynt Roderyck Mors xxiv. sig. H3^v 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.

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.

†2. To turn over and over, to turn the leaves of (a book, etc.). Obsolete.

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.

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.

†b. To fling (hay, wool, etc.) abroad, so as to loosen the mass. Obsolete except as in 1.

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. 55^v 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. C7^v 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.

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. B2^v 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.

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. Aiiii^v 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.

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.

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

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. 47^v 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.

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.

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. Biii^v 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.

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. D^v 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.

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.

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.

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.

†b. To drink out of (a cup, etc.), tilting it up; hence, to empty by drinking; = to toss off at Phrasal verbs. Obsolete.

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 w^th 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 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.

to toss off

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.

to toss out

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.

to toss up

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’.

†3. To cook or dress (food, a meal) hastily; to prepare, to serve up. Also figurative. Obsolete.

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

n.¹1630

n.²1695

n.³1698

v.1511

单词	toss
释义	tossn.¹ Brit. /tɒs/, /tɔːs/, U.S. /tɔs/, /tɑs/ Etymology: < toss v. An act of tossing. 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. †2. A state of agitation or commotion. Obsolete. 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. †5. A bout, an encounter. Scottish. Obsolete. 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. †8. (?) A payment. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > payment > [noun] waringc1315 yielding1340 payment1370 pay1440 pitchc1500 resolute1548 toss1630 payout1917 1630 P. Massinger Picture sig. F^v 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 Etymology: A variant of tass n.¹ 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 Origin: A variant or alteration of another lexical item. Etymon: tass n.² Etymology: Either a variant of or an error for tass n.² 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. Brit. /tɒs/, /tɔːs/, U.S. /tɔs/, /tɑs/ Forms: Past tense and participle tossed /tɒst//-ɔː-/, also 1500s– tost. Etymology: In use soon after 1500, and current in nearly all its senses by 1550. Origin uncertain: the only cognate word appears to be the Norwegian and Swedish dialect tossa to spread, strew (Aasen); Welsh tosio is from English. I. transitive. 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. lij^v Howbeit the wroughte Sees tossyd and rolled vs ryght greuously. 1526 Bible (Tyndale) Matt. xiv. f. xx^v 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. C5^v How men be tossed from one court to a nother. ?1542 H. Brinkelow Complaynt Roderyck Mors xxiv. sig. H3^v 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. †2. To turn over and over, to turn the leaves of (a book, etc.). Obsolete. 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. 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. †b. To fling (hay, wool, etc.) abroad, so as to loosen the mass. Obsolete except as in 1. 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. 55^v 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. C7^v 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. B2^v 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. Aiiii^v 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. 47^v 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. Biii^v 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. 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. D^v 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. 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. 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. 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. †b. To drink out of (a cup, etc.), tilting it up; hence, to empty by drinking; = to toss off at Phrasal verbs. Obsolete. 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 w^th 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 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. to toss off 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. to toss out 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. to toss up 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’. †3. To cook or dress (food, a meal) hastily; to prepare, to serve up. Also figurative. Obsolete. 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 < n.¹1630n.²1695n.³1698v.1511 see also
随便看	make no mistake make no motes of make no nevermind make no objection make no question make no scriple make no scriple of conscience make no spare make no strength make no strength of make noise make noises make northing make note make nothing make nothing of make nothing on make nothing to make oath make obedience make obeisance make obeisance to make obstacle make odds even make of

tossn.1

Draft additions March 2007

tossn.2

† tossn.3

tossv.

Phrasal verbs

Draft additions 1993

> see also

tossn.¹

tossn.²

† tossn.³