The word "tossing" is spelled with the letters t-o-s-s-i-n-g. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is represented as /ˈtɑsɪŋ/. The first sound is a voiceless alveolar plosive /t/, followed by an open back unrounded vowel /ɑ/. The third sound is a voiceless alveolar fricative /s/, then an i sound /ɪ/. The last two sounds are a nasal consonant /n/ and a hard g sound /ɡ/. Tossing refers to the act of throwing something lightly or casually.
Tossing, in its most common usage, is a verb that refers to the act of throwing something with a quick, sudden movement. This action typically involves a deliberate movement of the arm or hands to propel an object through the air. The force applied during tossing can vary depending on the weight and size of the object, as well as the distance and direction it is being thrown.
The term "tossing" is often associated with casual or haphazard throwing, as it implies a more casual and less forceful action than terms like "throwing" or "projecting." It can be used to describe a gentle toss or a quick, careless throw depending on the context.
In addition to describing the physical act of throwing, "tossing" can also refer to the tossing of objects in a metaphorical sense. In this context, it can indicate a sense of uncertainty or randomness, such as in the phrase "tossing and turning," which describes a restless or unsettled sleep. It can also be used to describe a decision made without much thought, as in "tossing a coin" to determine an outcome.
Overall, "tossing" is a versatile term that denotes the action of throwing something, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. Its main characteristic is the quick and often casual nature of the movement, which distinguishes it from other terms related to throwing.
The act of throwing upwards; a rising and falling suddenly; a rolling and tumbling.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "tossing" has its origins in Middle English. It can be traced back to the Old English word "tossian", which meant to throw or fling. From there, it evolved into the Middle English term "tossen", maintaining the same basic meaning of throwing. Over time, "tossing" began to be used in a broader sense to describe the action of throwing or moving something with a quick or sudden motion, as well as to describe the act of tilting one's head or body abruptly. Today, "tossing" is still used in various contexts to describe throwing, flinging, or moving something quickly or in a sudden manner.