string

string [striŋ]

n.

[ME streng < OE, akin to Ger strang: see STRONG]

1.

a) a thin line of twisted fiber used for tying, pulling, fastening, etc.; slender cord or thick thread

b) a narrow strip of leather or cloth for fastening shoes, clothing, etc.; lace [apron strings]

2. a length or loop of like things threaded, strung, or hung on a string [a string of pearls]

3.

a) a number of things arranged in a line or row [a string of houses]

b) any series of things in close or uninterrupted succession [a string of victories]

c) a number of racehorses belonging to one owner

d) a number of business enterprises under one ownership or management [a string of gift shops ]

☆ 4. any of the groupings of players on a team according to ability the first string is more skilled than the second string, etc.

5.

a) a slender cord of wire, gut, nylon, etc. stretched on a musical instrument and bowed, plucked, or struck to make a musical sound

b) [pl.] all the stringed instruments of an orchestra, quintet, etc. played with a bow

c) [pl.] the players of such instruments

6. a strong, slender organ, structure, etc. resembling a string; specif.,

a) Archaic an animal nerve or tendon

b) a fiber of a plant, esp. one connecting the two halves of a bean pod

☆ 7. Informal a condition, limitation, or proviso attached to a plan, offer, donation, etc. usually used in pl.

8. Archit.

a) one of the inclined boards under a stairs, notched to support the treads and risers

b) STRINGCOURSE

☆ 9. Billiards

a) a line indicated but unmarked across the table at one end, from behind which the cue ball must be played after being out of play: in full string line

b) the act of stroking the cue ball so that it rebounds from the far cushion to stop as close as possible to the string line, for determining the order of play

10. Particle Physics in string theory, any of various extremely tiny, one-dimensional, vibrating stringlike particles thought to be the basic units of matter

vt.

strung, stringing

1. to fit or provide with a string or strings [to string a longbow, a violin, etc.]

2. to thread or bead on a string

3. to tie, pull, fasten, hang, lace, etc. with a string or strings

4. to adjust or tune the strings of (a musical instrument) by tightening, etc.

5. to make tense, nervous, or keyed (up)

6. to remove the strings from (beans, etc.)

7. to arrange or set forth in a row or successive series

8. to stretch or extend like a string [to string a cable]

vi.

1. to form into a string or strings

2. to stretch out in a line; extend; stretch; move or progress in a string

3. to serve as a stringer (for a newspaper, magazine, etc.)

4. Billiards LAG¹ (vi. 4)

adj.

of or composed for stringed instruments [string quartet]

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on a string or on the string

completely under one's control or subject to one's whims

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pull strings

1. to get someone to use influence in one's behalf, often secretly

2. to direct action of others, often secretly

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☆ string along Informal

1. to follow faithfully or accept trustingly

2. to go along or agree

3. to fool, trick, or keep in an uncertain state, as by promises

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string up

Informal to kill by hanging

stringless

adj.