I. ˈstriŋ noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English streng; akin to Old High German strang rope, Latin stringere to bind tight — more at strain
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a cord usually used to bind, fasten, or tie — often used attributively
a string bag
b. : something that resembles a string
garnished with potato string s
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. plural
(1) : the stringed instruments of an orchestra
(2) : the players of such instruments
4. : the gut, wire, or cord of a racket or shooting bow
5.
a. : a group of objects threaded on a string
a string of fish
a string of pearls
b.
(1) : a series of things arranged in or as if in a line
a string of cars
a string of names
(2) : a sequence of like items (as bits, characters, or words)
c. : a group of business properties scattered geographically
a string of newspapers
d. : the animals and especially horses belonging to or used by one individual
6.
a. : a means of recourse : expedient
b. : a group of players ranked according to skill or proficiency
7. : succession 3a
a string of successes
8. : one of the inclined sides of a stair supporting the treads and risers
9.
a. : balkline 1
b. : the action of lagging for break in billiards
10. : line 13
11. plural
a. : contingent conditions or obligations
b. : control , domination
12. : a hypothetical one-dimensional object that is infinitely thin but has a length of 10 -33 centimeters, that vibrates as it moves through space, and whose mode of vibration manifests itself as a subatomic particle
• string·less ˈstriŋ-ləs adjective
•
- on the string
II. verb
( strung ˈstrəŋ ; string·ing ˈstriŋ-iŋ)
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
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
strung her thoughts together
4. : to hang by the neck — used with up
5. : to remove the strings of
string beans
6.
a. : to extend or stretch like a string
string wires from tree to tree
b. : to set out in a line or series — often used with out
intransitive verb
1. : to move, progress, or lie in a string
2. : to form into strings
3. : lag 3
III. adjective
Date: 15th century
: of or relating to stringed musical instruments
the string section