thrust
Meaning
to push something or someone suddenly and forcefully
to make a sudden, strong forward movement at someone with a weapon
a sudden, strong movement in which something is pushed forward
the main point or meaning of an argument or policy
Usage
he thrust the money into my hand and walked away.
the fencer thrust his foil towards his opponent's chest.
the main thrust of her speech was a call for environmental reform.
Etymology
the word 'thrust' entered english from old norse 'þrýsta', meaning "to thrust, force, press." this norse term is related to old english 'þrēatian', meaning "to threaten," and both likely stem from a proto-germanic root. the core semantic thread from its ancient origins to modern usage is one of forceful, direct, and often aggressive forward pressure. this logic connects the physical act of pushing with a weapon to the figurative "main point" of an argument, which is forcefully presented.
Analysis
this is a simplex word of old norse origin. it functions as a single, indivisible root.