STRAW

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English strēaw; akin to Old High German strō ~, Old English strewian to strew Date: before 12th century 1. stalks of grain after threshing, a natural or artificial heavy fiber used for weaving, plaiting, or braiding, a dry coarse stem especially of a cereal grass, 3. a. something of small worth or significance, something too insubstantial to provide support or help in a desperate situation , chaff 2, 4. something (as a hat) made of ~, a tube (as of paper, plastic, or glass) for sucking up a beverage, ~y adjective II. adjective Date: 15th century made of ~ , of, relating to, or used for ~ , of the color of ~ , of little or no value ; worthless , of, relating to, resembling, or being a ~ man, of, relating to, or concerned with the discovery of preferences by means of a ~ vote