- apron string
- apron stringn.a string for tying an apron on——————tied to one's mother's apron strings or tied to one's wife's apron stringsdominated by one's mother (or wife, etc.)
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.
apron string
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Apron string — A pron string The string of an apron. [1913 Webster] {To be tied to a wife s apron strings} or {To be tied to a mother s apron strings}, to be unduly controlled by a wife or mother. [1913 Webster] He was so made that he could not submit to be… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
apron string — n. a string for tying an apron on tied to one s mother s apron strings or tied to one s wife s apron strings dominated by one s mother (or wife, etc.) * * * … Universalium
apron-string-hold — obsolete the occupation by a man of his wife s property The use satirized English and Welsh land tenure freehold, leasehold, or copyhold. It also indicates what people thought of a man who lived off the estate of his wife, whose property … How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms
apron string — noun (usually used in the plural) a cord used to tie an apron at the waist • Hypernyms: ↑cord • Part Holonyms: ↑apron * * * noun : the string of an apron usually used in plural as a symbol of complete dependence on or domineering control by a… … Useful english dictionary
apron-string — aˈpron string noun A string by which an apron is tied • • • Main Entry: ↑apron … Useful english dictionary
apron string — noun Date: 1542 the string of an apron usually used in plural as a symbol of dominance or complete control < though 40 years old he was still tied to his mother s apron strings > … New Collegiate Dictionary
apron string — noun a) One of the pair of strings or narrow sewn cloth strips used to fasten an apron around the wearers waist. b) A symbol of the binding of a husband or of his fortunes to domestic life or to his wife … Wiktionary
tied to an apron string — vp Dominated by the wife or a woman. Fred can t go fishing on the weekend; he s tied to his wife s apron string. 1930s … Historical dictionary of American slang
apron string hold — noun An estate held by a man during his wifes life … Wiktionary
apron — (n.) mid 15c., faulty separation (Cf. ADDER (Cf. adder), UMPIRE (Cf. umpire)) of a napron (c.1300), from O.Fr. naperon small table cloth, dim. of nappe cloth, from L. mappa napkin. Napron was still in use as recently as late 16c. The shift of… … Etymology dictionary
