string

[ string ]

/ strɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR string ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a slender cord or thick thread used for binding or tying; line.

something resembling a cord or thread.

Also called cosmic string. Physics. a mathematical entity used to represent elementary particles, as gravitons, quarks, or leptons, in terms of a small but finite stringlike object existing in the four dimensions of spacetime and in additional, hypothetical, spacelike dimensions. The theory of such objects (string theory) avoids the many mathematical difficulties that arise from treating particles as points.

a narrow strip of flexible material, as cloth or leather, for tying parts together: the strings of a bonnet.

a necklace consisting of a number of beads, pearls, or the like threaded or strung on a cord; strand: She wore a double string of pearls.

any series of things arranged or connected in a line or following closely one after another: a string of islands; a string of questions.

a series of railroad cars coupled together but not constituting an entire train.

Journalism. a compilation of clippings of a stringer's published writings, submitted in request of payment according to an agreed space rate.

a group of animals, especially saddle horses, owned or used by one person: a string of polo ponies.

(in a musical instrument) a tightly stretched cord or wire that produces a tone when caused to vibrate, as by plucking, striking, or friction of a bow.

strings,

stringed instruments, especially those played with a bow.
players on such instruments in an orchestra or band.

a bowstring.

a cord or fiber in a plant.

the tough piece uniting the two parts of a pod: the strings of beans.

Architecture.

a stringcourse.
Also called stringer. one of the sloping sides of a stair, supporting the treads and risers.

Computers, Linguistics. a linear sequence of symbols, words, characters, or bits that is treated as a unit.

Billiards, Pool.

a stroke made by each player from the head of the table to the opposite cushion and back, to determine, by means of the resultant positions of the cue balls, who shall open the game.
Also called string line. a line from behind which the cue ball is placed after being out of play.

a complement of contestants or players grouped as a squad in accordance with their skill: He made the second string on the football team.

Usually strings. conditions or limitations on a proposal: a generous offer with no strings attached.

Obsolete. a ligament, nerve, or the like in an animal body.

verb (used with object), strung; strung or (Rare) stringed; string·ing.

to furnish with or as with a string or strings: to string a bonnet; to string a bow.

to extend or stretch (a cord, thread, etc.) from one point to another.

to thread on or as on a string: to string beads.

to connect in or as in a line; arrange in a series or succession: She knows how to string words together.

Music.

to adjust the string of (a bow) or tighten the strings of (a musical instrument) to the required pitch.
to equip (a bow or instrument) with new strings.

to provide or adorn with something suspended or slung: a room strung with festoons.

to deprive of a string or strings; strip the strings from: to string beans.

to make tense, as the sinews, nerves, mind, etc.

to kill by hanging (usually followed by up).

Slang. to fool or hoax.

verb (used without object), strung; strung or (Rare) stringed; string·ing.

to form into or move in a string or series: The ideas string together coherently.

to form into a string or strings, as a glutinous substance does when pulled: Good taffy doesn't break—it strings.

Verb Phrases

string along, Informal.

to be in agreement; follow with confidence: He found he couldn't string along with all their modern notions.
to keep (a person) waiting or in a state of uncertainty.
to deceive; cheat; trick.

string out,

to extend; stretch out: The parade strung out for miles.
to prolong: The promised three days strung out to six weeks.

Idioms for string

on a/the string, Informal. subject to the whim of another; in one's power; dependent: After keeping me on a string for two months, they finally hired someone else.

pull strings/wires,

to use one's influence or authority, usually in secret, in order to bring about a desired result.
to gain or attempt to gain one's objectives by means of influential friends, associates, etc.: He had his uncle pull strings to get him a promotion.

Origin of string

before 900; (noun) Middle English string, streng, Old English streng; cognate with Dutch streng, German Strang; akin to Latin stringere to bind; (v.) late Middle English stringen to string a bow, derivative of the noun

OTHER WORDS FROM string

string·less, adjective string·like, adjective re·string, verb, re·strung, re·string·ing.

Words nearby string

striking train, strimmer, strimon, strindberg, strine, string, string along, string bag, string band, string bass, string bean

Definition for pull wires (2 of 2)

wire

[ wahyuh r ]

/ waɪər /

noun

a slender, stringlike piece or filament of relatively rigid or flexible metal, usually circular in section, manufactured in a great variety of diameters and metals depending on its application.

such pieces as a material.

a length of such material, consisting either of a single filament or of several filaments woven or twisted together and usually insulated with a dielectric material, used as a conductor of electricity.

a cross wire or a cross hair.

a barbed-wire fence.

a long wire or cable used in cable, telegraph, or telephone systems.

Nautical. a wire rope.

Informal.

a telegram.
the telegraphic system: to send a message by wire.

wires, a system of wires by which puppets are moved.

a metallic string of a musical instrument.

Underworld Slang. the member of a pickpocket team who picks the victim's pocket. Compare stall²(def 5).

Horse Racing. a wire stretched across and above the track at the finish line, under which the horses pass.

Ornithology. one of the extremely long, slender, wirelike filaments or shafts of the plumage of various birds.

a metal device for snaring rabbits and other small game.

Papermaking. the woven wire mesh over which the wet pulp is spread in a papermaking machine.

the wire, the telephone: There's someone on the wire for you.

adjective

made of wire; consisting of or constructed with wires.

resembling wire; wirelike.

verb (used with object), wired, wir·ing.

to furnish with wires.

to install an electric system of wiring in, as for lighting.

to fasten or bind with wire: He wired the halves together.

to put on a wire, as beads.

to send by telegraph, as a message: Please wire the money at once.

to send a telegraphic message to: She wired him to come at once.

to snare by means of a wire.

to equip with a hidden electronic device, as an eavesdropping device or an explosive.

to connect (a receiver, area, or building) to a television cable and other equipment so that cable television programs may be received.

Informal. to be closely connected or involved with: a law firm wired into political circles.

Informal. to prepare, equip, fix, or arrange to suit needs or goals: The sales force was wired for an all-out effort.

Croquet. to block (a ball) by placing it behind the wire of an arch.

verb (used without object), wired, wir·ing.

to send a telegraphic message; telegraph: Don't write; wire.

Origin of wire

before 900; Middle English wir(e) (noun), Old English wīr; cognate with Low German wīr, Old Norse vīra- wire, Old High German wiara fine goldwork

OTHER WORDS FROM wire

wir·a·ble, adjective wire·like, adjective de·wire, verb (used with object), de·wired, de·wir·ing. mis·wire, verb, mis·wired, mis·wir·ing.

pre·wire, verb (used with object), pre·wired, pre·wir·ing. un·wir·a·ble, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH wire

why're wire

British Dictionary definitions for pull wires (1 of 2)

wire

/ (waɪə) /

noun

a slender flexible strand or rod of metal

a cable consisting of several metal strands twisted together

a flexible metallic conductor, esp one made of copper, usually insulated, and used to carry electric current in a circuit

(modifier) of, relating to, or made of wire a wire fence; a wire stripper

anything made of wire, such as wire netting, a barbed wire fence, etc

a long continuous wire or cable connecting points in a telephone or telegraph system

old-fashioned

an informal name for telegram, telegraph
the wire an informal name for telephone

a metallic string on a guitar, piano, etc

horse racing, mainly US and Canadian the finishing line on a racecourse

a wire-gauze screen upon which pulp is spread to form paper during the manufacturing process

anything resembling a wire, such as a hair

a snare made of wire for rabbits and similar animals

to the wire or down to the wire informal right up to the last moment

get in under the wire informal, mainly US and Canadian to accomplish something with little time to spare

get one's wires crossed informal to misunderstand

pull wires mainly US and Canadian to exert influence behind the scenes, esp through personal connections; pull strings

take it to the wire to compete to the bitter end to win a competition or title

verb (mainly tr)

(also intr) to send a telegram to (a person or place)

to send (news, a message, etc) by telegraph

to equip (an electrical system, circuit, or component) with wires

to fasten or furnish with wire

(often foll by up) to provide (an area) with fibre optic cabling to receive cable television

to string (beads, etc) on wire

croquet to leave (a player's ball) so that a hoop or peg lies between it and the other balls

to snare with wire

wire in informal to set about (something, esp food) with enthusiasm

Derived forms of wire

wirelike, adjective

Word Origin for wire

Old English wīr; related to Old High German wiara, Old Norse vīra, Latin viriae bracelet

British Dictionary definitions for pull wires (2 of 2)

string

/ (strɪŋ) /

noun

a thin length of cord, twine, fibre, or similar material used for tying, hanging, binding, etc

a group of objects threaded on a single strand a string of beads

a series or succession of things, events, acts, utterances, etc a string of oaths

a number, chain, or group of similar things, animals, etc, owned by or associated with one person or body a string of girlfriends

a tough fibre or cord in a plant the string of an orange; the string of a bean

music a tightly stretched wire, cord, etc, found on stringed instruments, such as the violin, guitar, and piano

short for bowstring

architect short for string course, stringer (def. 1)

maths linguistics a sequence of symbols or words

linguistics a linear sequence, such as a sentence as it is spoken

physics a one-dimensional entity postulated to be a fundamental component of matter in some theories of particle physics See also cosmic string

billiards another word for lag 1 (def. 6)

a group of characters that can be treated as a unit by a computer program

(plural) complications or conditions (esp in the phrase no strings attached)

(modifier) composed of stringlike strands woven in a large mesh a string bag; string vest

keep on a string to have control or a hold over (a person), esp emotionally

pull strings informal to exert personal influence, esp secretly or unofficially

pull the strings to have real or ultimate control of something

second string a person or thing regarded as a secondary source of strength

the strings (plural)

violins, violas, cellos, and double basses collectively
the section of a symphony orchestra constituted by such instruments

verb strings, stringing or strung (strʌŋ)

(tr) to provide with a string or strings

(tr) to suspend or stretch from one point to another

(tr) to thread on a string

(tr) to form or extend in a line or series

(foll by out) to space or spread out at intervals

(tr usually foll by up) informal to kill (a person) by hanging

(tr) to remove the stringy parts from (vegetables, esp beans)

(intr) (esp of viscous liquids) to become stringy or ropey

(tr often foll by up) to cause to be tense or nervous

billiards another word for lag 1 (def. 3)

Derived forms of string

stringlike, adjective

Word Origin for string

Old English streng; related to Old High German strang, Old Norse strengr; see strong

Idioms and Phrases with pull wires (1 of 3)

pull wires

see pull strings.

Idioms and Phrases with pull wires (2 of 3)

string

In addition to the idioms beginning with string

string along
string out
strings attached
string together
string up

also see:

harp on (one string)
no strings attached
on a shoestring
on a string
pull strings
purse strings
tied to apron strings
two strings to one's bow

Idioms and Phrases with pull wires (3 of 3)

wire

see down to the wire; get one's wires crossed; live wire; pull strings (wires); under the wire.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

string

noun

verb (used with object), strung; strung or (Rare) stringed; string·ing.

verb (used without object), strung; strung or (Rare) stringed; string·ing.

Verb Phrases

Idioms for string

Origin of string

OTHER WORDS FROM string

Words nearby string

Definition for pull wires (2 of 2)

noun

adjective

verb (used with object), wired, wir·ing.

verb (used without object), wired, wir·ing.

Origin of wire

OTHER WORDS FROM wire

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH wire

British Dictionary definitions for pull wires (1 of 2)

noun

verb (mainly tr)

Derived forms of wire

Word Origin for wire

British Dictionary definitions for pull wires (2 of 2)

noun

verb strings, stringing or strung (strʌŋ)

Derived forms of string

Word Origin for string

Idioms and Phrases with pull wires (1 of 3)

Idioms and Phrases with pull wires (2 of 3)

Idioms and Phrases with pull wires (3 of 3)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

string

noun

verb (used with object), strung; strung or (Rare) stringed; string·ing.

verb (used without object), strung; strung or (Rare) stringed; string·ing.

Verb Phrases

Idioms for string

Origin of string

OTHER WORDS FROM string

Words nearby string

Definition for pull wires (2 of 2)

noun

adjective

verb (used with object), wired, wir·ing.

verb (used without object), wired, wir·ing.

Origin of wire

OTHER WORDS FROM wire

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH wire

Words related to pull wires

British Dictionary definitions for pull wires (1 of 2)

noun

verb (mainly tr)

Derived forms of wire

Word Origin for wire

British Dictionary definitions for pull wires (2 of 2)

noun

verb strings, stringing or strung (strʌŋ)

Derived forms of string

Word Origin for string

Idioms and Phrases with pull wires (1 of 3)

Idioms and Phrases with pull wires (2 of 3)

Idioms and Phrases with pull wires (3 of 3)