toss

toss [tôs, täs]

vt.

[prob. < Scand, as in Norw dial. tossa, to spread, strew; akin to MLowG tōsen, to tear, ME ( to) tusen, to pull to pieces < IE base * dā( i)-, to part, tear > TEASE]

1. to throw or pitch about; fling here and there; buffet [a boat tossed by a storm ]

☆ 2. to mix lightly the parts or ingredients of (esp. a salad)

3. to disturb; agitate; disquiet

4. to throw (in various senses); specif., to throw upward, lightly and easily, from the hand

5. to throw in or bandy (ideas, remarks, etc.)

6. to lift quickly; jerk upward [tossing her head in disdain]

7. to TOSS UP with (someone for something): see phrase below

vi.

1. to be flung to and fro; be thrown about or pitched about

2. to fling oneself about in sleep, etc.; be restless in bed

3. to move or go impatiently, angrily, or disdainfully, as with a toss of the head

4. to TOSS UP: see phrase below

n.

1. a tossing or being tossed; a throw, fling, pitch, etc.

2. short for TOSSUP (sense 1)

3. the distance that something is or can be tossed

SYN.- THROW

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toss off

1. to make, do, write, etc. quickly, casually, and without effort

2. to drink up in one draft

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toss up

to toss a coin for deciding something according to which side lands uppermost

tosser

n.