Thorow

Part of speech: adjective, adverb

Definitions

1. Describing something done with great care and attention to detail ; indicating a complete or exhaustive approach ; signifying careful and meticulous effort in execution
2. Characterizing an action performed with thoroughness and precision ; relating to a comprehensive and all-inclusive method ; denoting careful scrutiny or diligence in completing a task
3. Expressing the notion of full and painstaking attention to every aspect ; used to depict an approach that is entirely complete and exhaustive ; referring to work or study conducted with intense concentration and care

Etymology: "Thorow" is an older spelling of "thorough," and the modern adjective is really the preposition "through" grown into a new job. Middle English had "thoruȝ" and "þoruȝ," which came from Old English "þuruh," a variant of "þurh," the source of today's "through." The preposition and adverb sense of passing from one end or side to the other gradually became an adjective describing something that goes all the way through, and from there a sense of completeness: a thorough search leaves no part unexamined. The spelling tells the same story. In the earlier form the word was pronounced with a full stress, and it kept a separate syllable, which is why the "-ow" ending survived in writing even after the pronunciation shortened to "THUR-oh." Today's standard spelling "thorough" keeps that older ending, while "through" was simplified.

Synonyms: thorough