Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
Thorough — Thor ough, a. 1. Passing through; as, thorough lights in a house. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] 2. Passing through or to the end; hence, complete; perfect; as, a thorough reformation; thorough work; a thorough translator; a thorough poet. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
thorough — [thʉr′ō; ] Brit [ thu′rə] prep., adv. [ME thoruh, thuruh, an emphatic var. of through,THROUGH] obs. var. of THROUGH adj. 1. passing through: now chiefly in combination, as in thoroughfare 2. done or proceeding through to the end; omitting… … English World dictionary
thorough — / thoroughgoing [adj1] exhaustive absolute, all embracing, all inclusive, all out*, all the way*, assiduous, blow by blow*, careful, circumstantial, clocklike, complete, comprehensive, conscientious, detailed, efficient, exact, from A to Z*, full … New thesaurus
thorough — ► ADJECTIVE 1) complete with regard to every detail. 2) performed with or showing great care and completeness. 3) absolute; utter: he is a thorough nuisance. DERIVATIVES thoroughly adverb thoroughness noun. ORIGIN Old English, «through» … English terms dictionary
Thorough — Thor ough, prep. [See {Through}.] Through. [Obs.] Spenser. Shak. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Thorough — Thor ough, adv. 1. Thoroughly. [Obs. or Colloq.] Chaucer. [1913 Webster] 2. Through. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Thorough — Thor ough, n. A furrow between two ridges, to drain off the surface water. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
thorough — I adjective absolute, accurate, all inclusive, assiduous, careful, complete, comprehensive, consummate, definitive, detailed, diligent, downright, entire, exhaustive, extensive, full, fully executed, inclusive, intensive, meticulous, painstaking … Law dictionary
thorough — late 15c., adj. use of O.E. þuruh (adv.) from end to end, from side to side, stressed variant of þurh (adv., prep.); see THROUGH (Cf. through). Related: thoroughly (c.1300) … Etymology dictionary
thorough — [[t]θʌ̱rə, AM θɜ͟ːroʊ[/t]] ♦♦♦ 1) ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n A thorough action or activity is one that is done very carefully and in a detailed way so that nothing is forgotten. We are making a thorough investigation... This very thorough survey goes… … English dictionary
thorough — thor|ough [ θʌrə ] adjective * 1. ) including everything that is possible or necessary: The key to a good interview is thorough preparation. a thorough investigation/examination/search: a thorough and painstaking investigation by the police a… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
