throe

[M. Henri Day]

A useful word, particularly in the plural. But the usage that inspired me to suggest it as GWotD was the following statement by Jonathan Todd, spokesman for EU Commissioner Neelie Kroes, as reported in a Reuters article on complaints lodged (again !) against Microsoft :

"We are currently in the throes of analysing these informal complaints and the decision as to whether or not we will open up new case against Microsoft will only be taken once we have completed our scrutiny, our examination of the information we have received," he later told a news conference.

«In the throes of analysis» ! Now that does sound drastic, indeed ! Judging from his name, Mr Todd is a Brit ; whatever happened to the stiff upper lip ?!!...

Henri

throe Listen: [ thrō ]
n.

1. A severe pang or spasm of pain, as in childbirth. See Synonyms at pain.

2. throes A condition of agonizing struggle or trouble: a country in the throes of economic collapse.

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[Middle English throwe, perhaps alteration of thrawe, from Old English thrawu, genitive of thrah, pain, affliction.]

[Slava]

Truth be told, I don't think I'd ever given any thought to throes having a singular.

Here's the Doc's treatment: Throe.