heaving
UK[ˈhiːvɪŋ]US[ˈhiːvɪŋ]
n
the action of lifting, pulling, or throwing something heavy with great effort.
adj
(of a place) extremely crowded; packed with people or things.
Etymology
the word 'heaving' is the present participle and gerund of the verb 'heave'. 'heave' itself is a simplex word of old english origin, derived from the proto-germanic habjaną, meaning 'to lift, raise'. this germanic root is further connected to the pie root kap-, meaning 'to grasp, take hold of'. the semantic journey from the ancient sense of grasping to the modern english 'heave' involves a specialization towards the strenuous effort involved in lifting or pulling a heavy object. the participial adjective 'heaving', as used to describe a crowded place, is a metaphorical extension from the mid-20th century, evoking the image of a mass of people moving or surging like a heavy, laboring body.
Analysis
n/a
Examples
the heaving of the anchor was a difficult task for the crew.
the bar was heaving with excited fans after the victory.
with a great heaving of his shoulders, he pushed the boulder aside.