Intense or violent pain and struggle, especially accompanying birth, death, or other major change. Severe pangs of a difficult or painful process.
From Middle English 'throwe', related to Old English 'thrēa' (affliction, pang). Possibly connected to 'throw' in the sense of violent motion, reflecting the physical struggle associated with intense pain or effort.
Always used in plural, 'throes' captures those moments when we're caught in the grip of something overwhelming - whether it's birth, death, or transformation. The phrase 'death throes' specifically refers to the final agonies of dying, but we also speak of being 'in the throes of' creativity or passion.
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