[straw] n [ME, fr. OE streaw; akin to OHG stro straw, OE strewian to strew] (bef. 12c) 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 esp. 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 ~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 adj -- straw in the wind : a slight fact that is an indication of a coming event
[2]straw adj (15c) 1: made of straw "a ~ rug"
2: of, relating to, or used for straw "a ~ barn"
3: of the color of straw "~ hair"
4: of little or no value: worthless
5: of, relating to, resembling, or being a straw man
6: of, relating to, or concerned with the discovery of preferences by means of a straw vote