Thrust Is Both a Push and a Point
To thrust is to push forcefully. The noun also means the essential point of an argument, and in engineering the force that drives an aircraft.
To thrust is to push suddenly and hard. The noun stretches remarkably far: the *thrust* of an argument is its main point, the thrust of a jet engine is the force pushing the aircraft forward, and a *thrust stage* projects into the audience. All of them keep the sense of something driven outward from a source.
- To push forcefully. *He thrust the door open.*
- The main point. *The thrust of her argument.*
- Engine force. *Maximum thrust.*
- Thrust upon — imposed. *Greatness thrust upon them.*
- Thrust stage — one projecting into the audience. *A thrust stage.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | thrust | Thrust it in. |
| Past | thrust | He thrust it aside. |
| Participle | thrust | Having thrust it. |
| Noun | thrust | A sudden thrust. |
| Plural | thrusts | Repeated thrusts. |
- She thrust the letter into his hand.The verb; the past tense is also thrust.
- The thrust of the report is clear.The main argument.
- Thrust exceeds drag and the aircraft accelerates.Physics.
Verbs that do not change in the past
- Thrust — thrust, thrust
- Cut — cut, cut
- Put — put, put
- Cost — cost, cost
- Set, hit, let, shut — all follow the same pattern
From Old Norse *þrysta*, to thrust or press. The abstract sense of the main point of an argument dates from the nineteenth century.
What is the past tense of thrust?
Thrust. The verb does not change form, like cut and put.
What is a thrust stage?
A stage that extends into the audience so people sit on three sides. Shakespeare's theatres used the form.