Definition

Noun 1. A small rocket engine that provides the thrust needed to maneuver a spacecraft: A device that produces a controlled force (thrust) by expelling mass, typically used for precise adjustments to the attitude or velocity of a spacecraft, satellite, or aircraft. 2. One who intrudes or pushes himself/herself forward: A person who is aggressively assertive or self-promoting, often in a social or professional context, sometimes to the point of being intrusive.

Examples

• Meaning 1 (Rocket Engine):
  • The pilot fired the thruster to adjust the satellite's orbit.
  • The spacecraft used its reaction control thrusters to dock with the space station.
• Meaning 2 (Assertive Person):
  • He's a real thruster in meetings, always dominating the conversation.
  • She was seen as a thruster, aggressively pursuing the promotion.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Contexts: The term is often qualified to specify the type or purpose of the thruster (e.g., , , ).
• Figurative Use: When describing a person, "thruster" often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying pushiness or a lack of regard for social boundaries.

Variants and Related Words

• Thrust (verb/noun): The core action or force. To push suddenly or violently; a driving force or pressure.
• Propellant (noun): The fuel or substance expelled by a thruster to create thrust.

Synonyms

• For Meaning 1: Maneuvering engine, reaction control system (RCS) engine, jet.
• For Meaning 2: Go-getter, hustler, pusher, self-promoter, intruder (more negative).

Related Phrases

• To thrust oneself forward: To push oneself into a position of attention or advantage, often without invitation. This phrase is the conceptual source for the second meaning of the noun.
  • He has a tendency to thrust himself forward during important discussions.

Noun

1. a small rocket engine that provides the thrust needed to maneuver a spacecraft
2. one who intrudes or pushes himself forward