Obs. [f. OE. þrǽstan: see next.]
1. Torment, affliction, trouble, hardship.
13[?]. Cursor M., 4283 (Cott.). For o quat pine es herder threst Þen tharn þe thing men luues best. Ibid., 11829. Ydropsi held him sua in threst, Þat him thoght his bodi suld brest. Ibid., 29168. Þai sal … Bren in þe fier of purgatori,… Bot efter-ward þat herd threst, Sal þai be borun in to rest.
1340. Ayenb., 121. Þe yefþe of drede is þe doreward to þe greate þreste, þet is … to þe greate þreapninge of godes dom. Ibid., 183. Þe guode kniȝt … þet … heþ y-byine uele þrestes mid grat wil and grat honger.
2. A thrust, a sharp stroke; the stroke or dart of lightning, a thunderbolt.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 952. Þe þik þunder þrast þirled hem ofte.
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1443. For þre at þe fyrst þrast he þryȝt to þe erþe.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 554. Þe liȝt lemand late laschis fra þe heuyn, Thonere thrastis ware thra thristid þe welkyn.
