Obs. Forms: 4 þro, 45 thro, throo, 56 Sc. thra. [ME. a. ON. þrá, neut. obstinacy, persistence in opposition, contrariety, hard struggle (Vigf.); perh. confounded with þrá fem., painful or violent longing, eager yearning (cognate with OE. þrawu painful pressure): see Falk and Torp s.v. traa2.]
1. Struggle, contest; trouble.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 10570. Þat tyme was mykyl þro, And ofte was boþe werre and wo. Ibid. (c. 1330), Chron. Wace (Rolls), 54. In sclaundire & threte, & in thro. Ibid., 13925. Mikel was þe pres, ful þykke þe þro.
a. 140050. Alexander, 2282. He Thringis to þe thrid time & þe thra [Dubl. MS. thro] wynnys [in wrestling].
2. Anger, wrath.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 754. Ȝet for þretty in þrong I schal my þro steke.
a. 1400. Sir Perc., 376. I hafe spokene with thame, I wene, Wordes in throo.
3. Eagerness, keenness, haste.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, VIII. 237. Our men on him thrang forthwart in to thra.
c. 1475. Rauf Coilȝear, 801. He sa cummand in thra The maist man of all tha, That euer he had sene.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VIII. Prol. 17. Thochtis thretis in thra our breistis ourthwort.