Thrash — Defs

01 v. t. To beat out grain from, as straw or husks; to beat the straw or husk of (grain) with a flail; to beat off, as the kernels of grain; as, to …

imp. & p. p. Thrashed; p. pr. & vb. n. Thrashing

1.
To beat out grain from, as straw or husks; to beat the straw or husk of (grain) with a flail; to beat off, as the kernels of grain; as, to thrash wheat, rye, or oats; to thrash over the old straw.
“The wheat was reaped, thrashed, and winnowed by machines.” — H. Spencer.
2.
To beat soundly, as with a stick or whip; to drub.

02 v. t. To practice thrashing grain or the like; to perform the business of beating grain from straw; as, a man who thrashes well.

1.
To practice thrashing grain or the like; to perform the business of beating grain from straw; as, a man who thrashes well.
2.
Hence, to labor; to toil; also, to move violently.
“I rather would be Maevius, thrash for rhymes, Like his, the scorn and scandal of the times.” — Dryden.