throb

American  

[throb] / θrɒb /

verb (used without object)

throbbed, throbbing

1. to beat with increased force or rapidity, as the heart under the influence of emotion or excitement; palpitate.

2. to feel or exhibit emotion.

   He throbbed at the happy thought.

3. to pulsate; vibrate.

   The cello throbbed.

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noun

1. the act of throbbing.

2. a violent beat or pulsation, as of the heart.

3. any pulsation or vibration.

   the throb of engines.

throb British  

/ θrɒb /

verb

1. to pulsate or beat repeatedly, esp with increased force

   to throb with pain

2. (of engines, drums, etc) to have a strong rhythmic vibration or beat

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noun

1. the act or an instance of throbbing, esp a rapid pulsation as of the heart

   a throb of pleasure

Related Words

See pulsate.

Other Word Forms

• outthrob verb (used with object)
• throbber noun
• throbbing adjective
• throbbingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of throb

First recorded in 1325–75; unattested Middle English throbben, implied in present participle throbbant “throbbing”; further origin unknown

Example Sentences

He is a throbbing mass of malevolence, turned up — to reference Reiner’s “This Is Spinal Tap” — to 11.

From Los Angeles Times

The plastic symmetry of “Battleship Potemkin,” its humanity, and its throbbing power still command respect, and Sergei Eisenstein endures as the finest film editor the world has seen.

From The Wall Street Journal

When the aircraft parked and the doors opened, Harris said his head was throbbing, he felt confused and was struggling to string sentences together.

From The Wall Street Journal

My face is throbbing and there’s a sharp sting on the side of my nose.

From Literature

She told me I may see her third eye throbbing there when she entered her trance.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flutter
• pulse
• resonate
• tremble
• vibrate