I. ˈstrȯ noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English strēaw; akin to Old High German strō 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 ˈstrȯ-ē adjective
•
- straw in the wind
II. adjective
Date: 15th century
1. : made of straw
a straw hat
2. : of, relating to, or used for straw
a straw barn
3. : of the color of straw
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