throng Meaning, Definition & Usage

Throng noun

Etymology

OE. þrong, þrang, AS. geþrang, fr. þringan to crowd, to press; akin to OS. thringan, D. & G. dringen, OHG. dringan, Icel. þryngva, þröngva, Goth. þriehan, D. & G. drang a throng, press, Icel. þröng a throng, Lith. trenkti to jolt, tranksmas a tumult. Cf. Thring.

Definitions

1. A multitude of persons or of living beings pressing or pressed into a close body or assemblage; a crowd.
2. A great multitude; as, the heavenly throng. Syn. -- Throng, Multitude, Crowd. Any great number of persons form a multitude; a throng is a large number of persons who are gathered or are moving together in a collective body; a crowd is composed of a large or small number of persons who press together so as to bring their bodies into immediate or inconvenient contact. A dispersed multitude; the throngs in the streets of a city; the crowd at a fair or a street fight. But these distinctions are not carefully observed.

   So, with this bold opposer rushes on This many-headed monster, multitude. Daniel.

   Not to know me argues yourselves unknown, The lowest of your throng. Milton.

   I come from empty noise, and tasteless pomp, From crowds that hide a monarch from himself. Johnson.

Throng intransitive verb

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Thronged ; present participle & verbal noun Thronging

Definitions

1. To crowd together; to press together into a close body, as a multitude of persons; to gather or move in multitudes.

   I have seen the dumb men throng to see him. Shak.

Throng transitive verb

Definitions

1. To crowd, or press, as persons; to oppress or annoy with a crowd of living beings.

   Much people followed him, and thronged him. Mark v. 24.

2. To crowd into; to fill closely by crowding or pressing into, as a hall or a street. Shak.

Throng adjective

Definitions

1. Thronged; crowded; also, much occupied; busy. Obs. or Prov. Eng. Bp. Sanderson.

   To the intent the sick . . . should not lie too throng. Robynson (More's Utopia).