n.
Pronunciation: ' stro ̇
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English str ē aw; akin to Old High German str ō straw, Old English strewian to strew
Date: before 12th century
1 a : stalks of grain after threshing broadly : dry stalky plant residue used like grain straw (as for bedding or packing) b : a natural or artificial heavy fiber used for weaving, plaiting, or braiding
2 : a dry coarse stem especially of a cereal grass
3 a (1) : something of small worth or significance (2) : something too insubstantial to provide support or help in a desperate situation <clutching at straw s > b : CHAFF 2
4 a : something (as a hat) made of straw b : a tube (as of paper, plastic, or glass) for sucking up a beverage
– strawy \ ' stro ̇ - ē \ adjective
– straw in the wind : a slight fact that is an indication of a coming event