I. ˈlīn noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English; partly from Anglo-French lingne, from Latin linea, from feminine of lineus made of flax, from linum flax; partly from Old English līne; akin to Old English līn flax — more at linen
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a length of cord or cord-like material : as
(1) : a comparatively strong slender cord
(2) : clothesline
(3) : a rope used on shipboard
b.
(1) : a device for catching fish consisting of a cord with hooks and other fishing gear
(2) : scope for activity : rope
c. : a length of material used in measuring and leveling
d.
(1) : piping for conveying a fluid (as steam)
(2) : a narrow short synthetic tube that is inserted approximately one inch into a vein (as of the arm) to provide temporary intravenous access for the administration of fluid, medication, or nutrients
e.
(1) : a wire or pair of wires connecting one telegraph or telephone station with another or a whole system of such wires ; also : any circuit in an electronic communication system
(2) : a telephone connection
tried to get a line
also : an individual telephone extension
a call on line 2
(3) : the principal circuits of an electric power system
2.
a.
(1) : a horizontal row of written or printed characters ; also : a blank row in lieu of such characters
(2) : a unit in the rhythmic structure of verse formed by the grouping of a number of the smallest units of the rhythm (as metrical feet)
(3) : a distinct segment of a computer program containing a single command or a small number of commands
b. : a short letter : note
c. plural : a certificate of marriage
d. : the words making up a part in a drama — usually used in plural
e. : any of the successive horizontal rows of picture elements on the screen of a cathode-ray tube (as a television screen)
3.
a. : something (as a ridge or seam) that is distinct, elongated, and narrow
b. : a narrow crease (as on the face) : wrinkle
c. : the course or direction of something in motion : route
d.
(1) : a state of agreement or conformity : accordance
(2) : a state of order, control, or obedience
wouldn't let them get out of line
e.
(1) : a boundary of an area
the state line
(2) : distinction 2
the fine line between love and hate
f. : the track and roadbed of a railway
g. : an amount of cocaine that is arranged in a line to be inhaled through the nose
4.
a. : a course of conduct, action, or thought ; especially : an official or public position
the party line
b. : a field of activity or interest
c. : a glib often persuasive way of talking
5.
a. : limit , restraint
b. archaic : position in life : lot
6.
a.
(1) : family , lineage
(2) : a strain produced and maintained especially by selective breeding or biological culture
(3) : a chronological series
b. : dispositions made to cover extended military positions and presenting a front to the enemy — usually used in plural
c. : a military formation in which the different elements are abreast of each other
d. : naval ships arranged in a regular order
e.
(1) : the combatant forces of an army distinguished from the staff corps and supply services
(2) : the force of a regular navy
f.
(1) : officers of the navy eligible for command at sea distinguished from officers of the staff
(2) : officers of the army belonging to a combatant branch
g. : an arrangement or placement of persons or objects of one kind in an orderly series
a line of trees
stand on line
waiting in line
also : the persons or objects so positioned
the line moved slowly at the bank
h.
(1) : a group of public conveyances plying regularly under one management over a route
(2) : a system of transportation together with its equipment, routes, and appurtenances ; also : the company owning or operating it
i. : a succession of musical notes especially considered in melodic phrases
j.
(1) : an arrangement of operations in manufacturing permitting sequential occurrence on various stages of production
(2) : the personnel of an organization that are responsible for its stated objective
k.
(1) : the seven players including center, two guards, two tackles, and two ends who in offensive football play line up on or within one foot of the line of scrimmage
(2) : the players who in defensive play line up within one yard of the line of scrimmage
l. : a group of three players including a left winger, center, and right winger who play together as a unit in hockey
7. : a narrow elongated mark drawn or projected: as
a.
(1) : a circle of latitude or longitude on a map
(2) : equator
b. : a mark (as on a map) recording a boundary, division, or contour
c. : any of the horizontal parallel strokes on a music staff on or between which notes are placed — compare space
d. : a mark (as by pencil) that forms part of the formal design of a picture distinguished from the shading or color
e. : a division on a bridge score dividing the score for bonuses from that for tricks
f.
(1) : a demarcation of a limit with reference to which the playing of some game or sport is regulated — usually used in combination
(2) : a marked or imaginary line across a playing area (as a football field) parallel to the end line
(3) : line of scrimmage
8. : a straight or curved geometric element that is generated by a moving point and that has extension only along the path of the point : curve
9.
a. : a defining outline : contour
b. : a general plan : model — usually used in plural
10.
a. chiefly British : pica — used to indicate the size of large type
b. : the unit of fineness of halftones expressed as the number of screen lines to the linear inch
11. : merchandise or services of the same general class for sale or regularly available
12.
a. : a source of information : insight
b. : betting odds offered by a bookmaker especially on a sporting event
13. : a complete game of 10 frames in bowling — called also string
14. : line drive
• liny also lin·ey ˈlī-nē adjective
•
- between the lines
- down the line
- in line for
- on line
- on the line
II. verb
( lined ; lin·ing )
Date: 1530
transitive verb
1. : to mark or cover with a line or lines
lined paper
2. : to depict with lines : draw
3. : to place or form a line along
pedestrians line the walks
4. : to form into a line or lines : align
line up troops
5. : to hit (as a baseball) hard and in a usually straight line
intransitive verb
1. : to hit a line drive in baseball
2. : to come into the correct relative position : align
III. transitive verb
( lined ; lin·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from line flax, from Old English līn
Date: 14th century
1. : to cover the inner surface of
line a cloak with silk
2. : to put something in the inside of : fill
3. : to serve as the lining of
tapestries lined the walls
4. obsolete : fortify
•
- line one's pockets