American  

noun

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

2. something resembling a cord or thread.

3. 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.

4. a narrow strip of flexible material, as cloth or leather, for tying parts together.

   the strings of a bonnet.

5. 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.

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

   a string of islands;

   a string of questions.

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

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

9. a group of animals, especially saddle horses, owned or used by one person.

   a string of polo ponies.

10. (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.

11. strings,

    1. stringed instruments, especially those played with a bow.

    2. players on such instruments in an orchestra or band.

12. a bowstring.

13. a cord or fiber in a plant.

14. the tough piece uniting the two parts of a pod.

    the strings of beans.

15. Architecture.

    1. a stringcourse.

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

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

17. Billiards, Pool.

    1. 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.

    2. Also called string line.  a line from behind which the cue ball is placed after being out of play.

18. a complement of contestants or players grouped as a squad in accordance with their skill.

    He made the second string on the football team.

19. Usually strings conditions or limitations on a proposal.

    a generous offer with no strings attached.

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

verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with or as with a string or strings: to string a bow.

   to string a bonnet;

   to string a bow.

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

3. to thread on or as on a string.

   to string beads.

4. to connect in or as in a line; arrange in a series or succession.

   She knows how to string words together.

5. Music.

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

   2. to equip (a bow or instrument) with new strings.

6. to provide or adorn with something suspended or slung.

   a room strung with festoons.

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

   to string beans.

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

9. to kill by hanging (usually followed byup ).

10. Slang. to fool or hoax.

verb (used without object)

1. to form into or move in a string or series.

   The ideas string together coherently.

2. to form into a string or strings, as a glutinous substance does when pulled.

   Good taffy doesn't break—it strings.

3.  lag.  Billiards, Pool. to strike a cue ball to determine the order of play.

verb phrase

1. string along

   1. to be in agreement; follow with confidence.

      He found he couldn't string along with all their modern notions.

   2. to keep (a person) waiting or in a state of uncertainty.

   3. to deceive; cheat; trick.

2. string out

   1. to extend; stretch out.

      The parade strung out for miles.

   2. to prolong.

      The promised three days strung out to six weeks.

idioms

1. pull strings / wires,

   1. to use one's influence or authority, usually in secret, in order to bring about a desired result.

   2. 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.

2. on a / the string, 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.

noun

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

2. a group of objects threaded on a single strand

   a string of beads

3. a series or succession of things, events, acts, utterances, etc

   a string of oaths

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

   a string of girlfriends

5. a tough fibre or cord in a plant

   the string of an orange

   the string of a bean

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

7. short for bowstring

8. architect short for string course stringer

9. maths linguistics a sequence of symbols or words

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

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

12. billiards another word for lag 1

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

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

15. (modifier) composed of stringlike strands woven in a large mesh

    a string bag

    string vest

16. to have control or a hold over (a person), esp emotionally

17. informal to exert personal influence, esp secretly or unofficially

18. to have real or ultimate control of something

19. a person or thing regarded as a secondary source of strength

20. (plural)

    1. violins, violas, cellos, and double basses collectively

    2. the section of a symphony orchestra constituted by such instruments

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

1. (tr) to provide with a string or strings

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

3. (tr) to thread on a string

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

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

6. informal to kill (a person) by hanging

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

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

9. to cause to be tense or nervous

10. billiards another word for lag 1

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012