chuck

chuck¹

/chuk/, v.t.

1. to toss; throw with a quick motion, usually a short distance.

2. Informal. to resign from; relinquish; give up: He's chucked his job.

3. to pat or tap lightly, as under the chin.

4. Informal. to eject (a person) from a public place (often fol. by out): They chucked him from the bar.

5. Slang. to vomit; upchuck.

6. chuck it, Brit. Slang. stop it; shut up.

n.

7. a light pat or tap, as under the chin.

8. a toss or pitch; a short throw.

9. a sudden jerk or change in direction.

[1575-85; orig. uncert.]

Syn. 1. fling, pitch, heave, hurl.

chuck²

/chuk/, n.

1. the cut of beef between the neck and the shoulder blade. See diag. under beef.

2. a block or log used as a chock.

3. Mach.

a. a device for centering and clamping work in a lathe or other machine tool.

b. a device for holding a drill bit.

v.t.

4. Mach. to hold or secure with a chuck.

[1665-75; var. of CHOCK. See CHUNK¹]

chuck³

/chuk/, v.t., v.i.

1. to cluck.

n.

2. a clucking sound.

3. Archaic. (used as a term of endearment): my love, my chuck.

[1350-1400; ME chuk, expressive word, appar. imit.]

chuck⁴

/chuk/, n. Western U.S. Slang.

food; provisions.

[1840-50; special use of CHUCK²]

chuck⁵

/chuk/, n. Informal.

woodchuck.

[by shortening]

chuck⁶

/chuk/, n. Canadian Slang.

1. water.

2. any body of water.

[1855-60; < Chinook Jargon, prob. < Nootka c'aak water, reinforced by Lower Chinook l-cuq water]

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(as used in expressions)

Berry Chuck

Close Chuck

Jones Chuck

Yeager Chuck

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