string
[ string ]
/ strɪŋ /
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
- 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.
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,
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
Example sentences from the Web for string
The plot was a string of anecdotes from the senseless shootings of friends that Brinsley knew.
And the string of episodes that aired before that were gripping, noble, and simply entertaining to watch.
'The Newsroom' Ended As It Began: Weird, Controversial, and Noble |Kevin Fallon |December 15, 2014 |DAILY BEASTA cold salad with French string beans is the perfect counterpoint.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the string beans.
Toss the string beans and mesclun with enough dressing to moisten.
Very tired they looked, having been for hours in the string.
Letters of a Diplomat's Wife |Mary King WaddingtonThereby had she been enabled to say, 'He will come'; and saying, 'He has come,' her touch rested on the first knot in the string.
The Short Works of George Meredith |George MeredithString the pieces of cord through a ring, taking care that the ends are of the same length.
Construction Work for Rural and Elementary Schools |Virginia McGawNow stretch out in line, my merry ones, with arrow on string, and I shall show you such sport as only the King can give.
The White Company |Arthur Conan DoyleThe turtle that had taken the pin hook was swimming about with the string dragging after it.
Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue at Aunt Lu's City Home |Laura Lee Hope
British Dictionary definitions for string
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, adjectiveWord Origin for string
Old English
streng; related to Old High German
strang, Old Norse
strengr; see
strong
Idioms and Phrases with string
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