Lobs

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /lɒbz/

Definitions

  1. To throw or hit something in a high arc or gentle manner; to toss an object casually or in a slow, deliberate way; the act of delivering a softly thrown ball, often in sports like tennis or baseball
  2. An action that involves throwing with a lot of loft or elevation, often leading to a soft landing; making a slow, measured throw or motion aimed at precision rather than speed; executing a high but controlled throw in various ball games
  3. Engaging in the motion of throwing an object upwards or a soft toss that curves or arcs gently; casually tossing or sending something airborne in a careful, slow manner; delivering a ball in a manner that allows it to fall softly into position, often seen in athletic contexts

Etymology: The verb form, meaning "to throw or hit something in a high arc," traces back to late Middle English, emerging around the 15th century. It likely originated as a variant of the older word "lob," which referred to a clumsy or heavy throw. The precise origin of "lob" is uncertain, but some scholars suggest it may be related to the Old English "hlæbb," meaning "a heavy or clumsy person," reflecting the sense of something being thrown in a heavy or awkward manner. As a noun, it came to signify the object thrown or the act of throwing itself, especially in sports contexts like tennis or cricket where a "lob" describes a high, arcing shot meant to go over an opponent. This sporting usage dates from the late 19th century, when organized games and formal rules popularized specialized vocabulary. The pronunciation /lɒbz/ reflects a straightforward plural or third-person singular form, simply adding the common English "-s" ending to the base "lob." Over time, the word has maintained its core meaning but has expanded metaphorically to describe any action that involves a gentle or high throw, sometimes even figuratively meaning to present an idea or question in a way that invites a response. In summary, the term evolved from a somewhat vague notion of a heavy or clumsy throw into a precise description of a particular kind of high, arcing motion, especially in sports, while also functioning flexibly as a verb and noun.

Synonyms: throws, tosses, flings, hurls, catapults

Antonyms: catches, receives, holds, grabs, collects