[string] n [ME, fr. OE streng; akin to OHG strang rope, L stringere to bind tight--more at strain] (bef. 12c) 1: a small cord used to bind, fasten, or tie
2. a archaic: a cord (as a tendon or ligament) of an animal body b: a plant fiber (as a leaf vein) 3 a: the gut, wire, or nylon cord of a musical instrument b pl (1): the stringed instruments of an orchestra (2): the players of such instruments
4. a: a group of objects threaded on a string "a ~ of fish" "a ~ of pearls" b (1): a series of things arranged in or as if in a line "a ~ of cars" "a ~ of names" (2): a sequence of like items (as bits, characters, or words) c: a group of business properties scattered geographically "a ~ of newspapers" d: the animals and esp. horses belonging to or used by one individual
5. a: a means of recourse: expedient b: a group of players ranked according to skill or proficiency
6: succession 3a "a ~ of successes"
7. a: one of the inclined sides of a stair supporting the treads and risers b: stringcourse
8. a: balkline 1 b: the action of lagging for break in billiards 9: line 13
10. pl a: contingent conditions or obligations b: control, domination 11: a scanty bikini--called also string bikini 12: a hypothetical one-dimensional object that is infinitely thin but has a length of 1E-33 centimeters, that vibrates as it moves through space, and whose mode of vibration manifests itself as a subatomic particle -- string.less adj -- on the string : subject to one's influences
[2]string vb strung ; string.ing vt (15c) 1 a: to equip with strings b: to tune the strings of
2: to make tense: key up 3 a: to thread on or as if on a string b: to thread with objects c: to tie, hang, or fasten with string d: to put together (as words or ideas) like objects threaded on a string
4: to hang by the neck--used with up
5: to remove the strings of "~ beans"
6. a: to extend or stretch like a string "~ wires from tree to tree" b: to set out in a line or series--often used with out 7: fool, hoax "cowboys ~ing tenderfeet with tall tales --Carl Van Doren"--often used with along ~ vi 1: to move, progress, or lie in a string
2: to form into strings
3: lag 3 [3]string adj (1712): of or relating to stringed musical instruments "the ~ section"