toss

Definition

A throw, a lob, of a ball etc., with an initial upward direction, particularly with a lack of care.

Etymology

From Middle English tossen (“to buffet about, agitate, toss; to sift or winnow”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Old Norse (compare dialectal Norwegian tossa, dialectal Swedish tossa (“to strew, spread”)), or perhaps from an alteration of Middle English tosen (“to tease, pull apart, shred; to wound, injure”). Compare also Dutch tassen (“to pile or heap up, stack”). The Welsh tos (“a quick jerk”) and tosio (“to jerk, toss”) are probably borrowed from the English.

Example Sentences

• "I don't give a toss about her."
• "This put us at the board into a Tosse."
• ""We are all in a toss, in our neighborhood," said Mistress Pottle."