Ballein

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To throw or hurl forcefully; to project an object through the air by an applied force; to cast something away with intent to propel it forward
2. To send forth with strength by a sudden motion; to launch or propel an item through space; to cause something to fly by exerting strength upon it
3. To impart motion to something by a swift hand gesture; to propel or chuck an object into a trajectory; to deliver a forceful and directed throw of an item

Etymology: "Ballein" is the ancient Greek verb meaning "to throw" or "to hurl," and its English descendants are far more common than the word itself. The verb is the source of "ball" in the sense of a round object thrown or struck in play, though that English noun has its own Germanic roots, so the connection is through a shared idea rather than direct descent. Where the Greek verb really shows up in English is in prefixed forms: "symbol" comes from "symballein," to throw together, and "devil" from "diaballein," to throw across or slander. The Greek sense is literal and physical. Its noun "bolē" meant a throw or a cast, and it gave us "parabola," from "para," beside, plus the same verb, describing the curve a thrown object traces. English "problem" comes via Latin from "proballein," to throw forward, the idea being something thrown out in front of you to deal with.

Synonyms: throw, cast, hurl, toss, fling

Antonyms: catch, receive, hold, keep, retain