free-throw
UK[ˈfriː θrəʊ]US[ˈfriː θroʊ]
n
an unopposed shot in basketball taken from behind a designated line (the free-throw line) as a result of a foul by an opponent.
Morpheme Breakdown
free
throw
free
unrestricted
throw
propelled motion
Etymology
the compound 'free-throw' is a transparent modern english formation from the adjective 'free' and the noun 'throw'. the term emerged with the codification of basketball rules in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 'free' directly indicates the nature of the shot—taken without defensive pressure or obstruction, a penalty awarded for a foul. 'throw' retains its core germanic sense of propelling an object, here specifically the basketball. the logic of the term is entirely literal, describing an unimpeded attempt to propel the ball into the basket from a fixed position.
Analysis
Structure: free (unrestricted) + throw (propelled motion)
free: from old english 'frēo' (not in bondage, acting of one's own will), functioning as an adjective meaning 'unhindered' or 'without obstruction'.
throw: from old english 'þrāwan' (to twist, turn), later evolving to mean 'to propel through the air', functioning as a noun denoting the act of propulsion.
Examples
he stepped to the line and calmly sank both free-throws.
the game was tied with two seconds left when she was fouled and sent to the free-throw line.
improving your free-throw percentage is essential for any serious basketball player.