I. ˈthred noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English thred, threed, from Old English thrǣd; akin to Old High German drāt wire, Old Norse thrāthr thread; derivative from the root of Old English thrāwan to cause to twist or turn — more at throw
1.
a. : a filament, a group of filaments twisted together, or a filamentous length formed by spinning and twisting short textile fibers into a continuous strand
b. : a fine continuous strand made by plying two or more of these filament groups or lengths either with a tight twist and smooth finish (as for sewing or lace) or with a loose twist (as for embroidery) — compare cord , rope
c. : a piece of thread ; especially : a length for hand sewing
d. : yarn ; especially : a warp or weft yarn in a woven fabric
2. : something felt to resemble a textile thread: as
a. : any of various natural filaments
the threads of a spider web
byssus threads
b. : a slender stream (as of water)
c. : the middle of a river
d. : a narrow line or streak (as of light or color)
a thread of lamplight escaped under the edge of the shade
a quartz sparkling with fine threads of gold
e. : screw thread
f.
(1) : any of various manufactured filaments (as of glass, plastic, rubber, metal)
(2) : a filament removed in the course of some process (as the cutting of the grooves of an original disc recording)
g. : the filament that forms when sugar boiled to 240° F is poured from a spoon
3. : something felt as drawn out or spun out or blended together like the filaments forming a textile thread: as
a. : the continuing course of a life : thread of life
b. : an ordered course (as that linking the elements of a discourse) : a line of reasoning, sequence of ideas, or train of thought
lost the thread of his argument
c. : clew 2b
d. : a continuing element that colors and modifies a whole
a thread of poetry marked all his writing
4. : a tenuous or feeble support that offers no real security : an extremely uncertain and problematical turn of events
a life hanging by a thread
5. obsolete : kind , quality , nature
6. : a measure for cotton yarn that is equal to 1/80 lea or 1 1/2 yards or 1.37 meters
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English threden, from thred, threed, n.
transitive verb
1.
a. : to pass a thread through the eye of (a needle)
b. : to arrange a thread, yarn, or lead-in piece in working position for use in (a particular machine or device)
thread a bobbin
thread the sewing machine
c. : to feed (an exposing or a projecting mechanism) with film : feed film into (a camera)
2.
a. : to pass through in the manner of a thread
thread a pipe with wire
thread tubing in a vein
streamlets threading the valley floor
b. : pierce , penetrate
c. : to make one's way through or between (as a narrow way or obstacles)
peddlers threading the narrow alleys
also : to make (one's way) usually cautiously through a hazardous place or situation
threaded his way through the legal entanglements
3. : to put or bring together by or as if by passing a thread through
thread beads
threaded several casual ideas into a charming essay
4.
a. : to interweave with or as if with threads : intersperse
dark hair threaded with silver
b. : to cover with threads or a network of threads : screen with overlapping threads
thread plants to protect them from destructive birds
5. : to form a screw thread or threads on or in ; specifically : to form an external thread on — distinguished from tap
6. : to carry (a web) from point to point through a papermaking machine
intransitive verb
1. : to thread or wind a way — usually used with through
threading through narrow passages
able to thread but slowly through the intricate report
2. of a boiling syrup : to reach the thread stage : form a thread when poured from a spoon
III. adjective
Etymology: thread (I)
: relating to, made of, or resembling thread
thread stockings
thread -shaped
IV. noun
threads plural : clothes