[thread] n [ME thred, fr. OE thraed; akin to OHG drat wire, OE thrawan to cause to twist or turn--more at throw] (bef. 12c) 1 a: a filament, a group of filaments twisted together, or a filamentous length formed by spinning and twisting short textile fibers into a continuous strand b: a piece of thread
2. a: any of various natural filaments "the ~s of a spiderweb" b: a slender stream (as of water) c: a streak of light or color d: a projecting helical rib (as in a fitting or on a pipe) by which parts can be screwed together: screw thread
3: something continuous or drawn out: as a: a train of thought b: a continuing element "a ~ of melancholy marked all his writing"
4: a tenuous or feeble support
5. pl: clothing -- thread.less adj -- thread.like adj
[2]thread vt (14c) 1 a: to pass a thread through the eye of (a needle) b: to arrange a thread, yarn, or lead-in piece in working position for use in (a machine)
2. a (1): to pass something through in the manner of a thread "~ a pipe with wire" (2): to pass (as a tape, line, or film) into or through something "~ed a fresh film into the camera" b: to make one's way through or between "~ing narrow alleys"; also: to make (one's way) usu. cautiously through a hazardous situation
3: to put together on or as if on a thread: string "~ beads"
4: to interweave with or as if with threads: intersperse "dark hair ~ed with silver"
5: to form a screw thread on or in ~ vi 1: to make one's way
2: to form a thread -- thread.er n