throat

throat [thrōt]

n.

[ME throte < OE, akin to Ger dross(el), throat < IE * (s)treu-, swollen, stretched < base * (s)ter-, stiff > STARE]

1. the front part of the neck

2. the upper part of the passage leading from the mouth and nose to the stomach and lungs, including the pharynx and the upper larynx, trachea, and esophagus

3. any narrow passage, part, or entrance

vt.

Archaic to pronounce or sing in the throat, i.e., with a harsh, guttural quality

to pronounce or sing in the throat, i.e., with a harsh, guttural quality

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cut each other's throats

Informal to ruin each other, as by underselling in business

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cut one's own throat

Informal to be the means of one's own ruin

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jump down someone's throat

Informal to attack or criticize someone suddenly and violently

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ram something down someone's throat

to force someone to accept, hear, etc. something

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stick in one's throat

to be hard for one to say, as from reluctance