Idioms for line

Origin of line

1
before 1000; Middle English li(g)ne cord, rope, stroke, series, guiding rule, partly < Old French ligne ≪ Latin līnea, noun use of feminine of līneus flaxen (orig. applied to string), equivalent to līn(um) flax (see line2) + -eus -eous, partly continuing Old English līne string, row, series < Latin, as above

OTHER WORDS FROM line

lin·a·ble, line·a·ble, adjective line·less, adjective line·like, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for hold the line (1 of 2)

line 1
/ (laɪn) /

noun

verb

See also lines, line-up

Derived forms of line

linable or lineable, adjective lined, adjective linelike, adjective liny or liney, adjective

Word Origin for line

C13: partly from Old French ligne, ultimately from Latin līnea, n use of līneus flaxen, from līnum flax; partly from Old English līn, ultimately also from Latin līnum flax

British Dictionary definitions for hold the line (2 of 2)

line 2
/ (laɪn) /

verb (tr)

to attach an inside covering to (a garment, curtain, etc), as for protection, to hide the seaming, or so that it should hang well
to cover or fit the inside of to line the walls with books
to fill plentifully a purse lined with money
to reinforce the back of (a book) with fabric, paper, etc

Word Origin for line

C14: ultimately from Latin līnum flax, since linings were often made of linen

Medical definitions for hold the line

line
[ līn ]

n.

Scientific definitions for hold the line

line
[ līn ]

A geometric figure formed by a point moving in a fixed direction and in the reverse direction. The intersection of two planes is a line.♦ The part of a line that lies between two points on the line is called a line segment.

Cultural definitions for hold the line

line

A set of points that have one dimension — length — but no width or height. (See coordinates.)

Idioms and Phrases with hold the line (1 of 2)

hold the line

Maintain the existing position or state of affairs. For example, We'll have to hold the line on spending until our profits rise. This term alludes to former military tactics, in which a line of troops was supposed to prevent an enemy breakthrough. Eventually, it was transferred to civilian enterprises. [Mid-1900s]

Idioms and Phrases with hold the line (2 of 2)

line