strings

[ string ]

SEE DEFINITION OF strings

nounlong fiber
nounsuccession, series

Synonyms for strings

MOST RELEVANT

Antonyms for strings

individual

MOST RELEVANT

EXAMPLES FROM THE WEB FOR STRINGS

Their hearts have all got strings dangling from 'em, especially the women's.

They were handsomely embroidered, and were tied upon his feet with strings of gold.

A lyre rested on his knees, and he was striking the strings softly.

Remove the strings with a knife, and take off both ends of the bean.

He sat down, back of the harp, and made ready to sweep the strings.

He touched the strings of his lyre, and all things were silent with joy.

Call her a Harvest Hamper, and braid her lovely locks with strings of onions!

The child-like explanation of her lot touched the strings of my heart.

He has "two strings to his bow," while she has two beaux "on a string."

Strings of shells which a visitor could rattle answered for door-bells.

WORD ORIGIN

Old English streng "line, cord, thread," from Proto-Germanic *strangiz (cf. Old Norse strengr, Danish streng, Middle Dutch strenge, Dutch streng, Old High German strang, German Strang "rope, cord"), from *strang- "taut, stiff," from PIE root *strenk- "tight, narrow; pull tight, twist" (see strain). Gradually restricted by early Middle English to lines that are smaller than a rope. Sense of "a number of objects arranged in a line" first recorded late 15c.

Old English meaning "ligaments, tendons" is preserved in hamstring, heartstrings. Meaning "limitations, stipulations" (1888) is American English, probably from the common April Fool's joke of leaving a purse that looks full of money on the sidewalk, then tugging it away with an attached string when someone stoops to pick it up. To pull strings "control the course of affairs" (1860) is from the notion of puppet theater. First string, second string, etc. in athletics (1863) is from archers' custom of carrying spare bowstrings in the event that one breaks. Strings "stringed instruments" is attested from mid-14c. String bean is from 1759; string bikini is from 1974.