Etymology: Middle English; partly from Anglo-French lingne, from Latin linea, from feminine of lineus made of flax, from linum flax; partly from Old English līne; akin to Old English līn flax — more at linen
Date: before 12th century
1 a: a length of cord or cord-like material: as (1): a comparatively strong slender cord (2):clothesline(3): a rope used on shipboard b (1): a device for catching fish consisting of a cord with hooks and other fishing gear (2): scope for activity :ropec: a length of material used in measuring and leveling d (1): piping for conveying a fluid (as steam) (2): a narrow short synthetic tube that is inserted approximately one inch into a vein (as of the arm) to provide temporary intravenous access for the administration of fluid, medication, or nutrients e (1): a wire or pair of wires connecting one telegraph or telephone station with another or a whole system of such wires; also: any circuit in an electronic communication system (2): a telephone connection <tried to get a line>; also: an individual telephone extension <a call on line 2>(3): the principal circuits of an electric power system 2 a (1): a horizontal row of written or printed characters; also: a blank row in lieu of such characters (2): a unit in the rhythmic structure of verse formed by the grouping of a number of the smallest units of the rhythm (as metrical feet) (3): a distinct segment of a computer program containing a single command or a small number of commands b: a short letter :notecplural: a certificate of marriage d: the words making up a part in a drama —usually used in plural e: any of the successive horizontal rows of picture elements on the screen of a cathode-ray tube (as a television screen) 3 a: something (as a ridge or seam) that is distinct, elongated, and narrow b: a narrow crease (as on the face) :wrinklec: the course or direction of something in motion :routed (1): a state of agreement or conformity :accordance(2): a state of order, control, or obedience <wouldn't let them get out of line>e (1): a boundary of an area <the state line>(2):distinction 2 <the fine line between love and hate>f: the track and roadbed of a railway g: an amount of cocaine that is arranged in a line to be inhaled through the nose 4 a: a course of conduct, action, or thought; especially: an official or public position <the party line>b: a field of activity or interest c: a glib often persuasive way of talking 5 a:limit, restraintbarchaic: position in life :lot 6 a (1):family, lineage(2): a strain produced and maintained especially by selective breeding or biological culture (3): a chronological series b: dispositions made to cover extended military positions and presenting a front to the enemy —usually used in plural c: a military formation in which the different elements are abreast of each other d: naval ships arranged in a regular order e (1): the combatant forces of an army distinguished from the staff corps and supply services (2): the force of a regular navy f (1): officers of the navy eligible for command at sea distinguished from officers of the staff (2): officers of the army belonging to a combatant branch g: an arrangement or placement of persons or objects of one kind in an orderly series <a line of trees><stand on line><waiting in line>; also: the persons or objects so positioned <the line moved slowly at the bank>h (1): a group of public conveyances plying regularly under one management over a route (2): a system of transportation together with its equipment, routes, and appurtenances; also: the company owning or operating it i: a succession of musical notes especially considered in melodic phrases j (1): an arrangement of operations in manufacturing permitting sequential occurrence on various stages of production (2): the personnel of an organization that are responsible for its stated objective k (1): the seven players including center, two guards, two tackles, and two ends who in offensive football play line up on or within one foot of the line of scrimmage (2): the players who in defensive play line up within one yard of the line of scrimmage l: a group of three players including a left winger, center, and right winger who play together as a unit in hockey 7: a narrow elongated mark drawn or projected: as a (1): a circle of latitude or longitude on a map (2):equatorb: a mark (as on a map) recording a boundary, division, or contour c: any of the horizontal parallel strokes on a music staff on or between which notes are placed — compare spaced: a mark (as by pencil) that forms part of the formal design of a picture distinguished from the shading or color e: a division on a bridge score dividing the score for bonuses from that for tricks f (1): a demarcation of a limit with reference to which the playing of some game or sport is regulated —usually used in combination (2): a marked or imaginary line across a playing area (as a football field) parallel to the end line (3):line of scrimmage 8: a straight or curved geometric element that is generated by a moving point and that has extension only along the path of the point :curve 9 a: a defining outline :contourb: a general plan :model —usually used in plural 10 achiefly British:pica —used to indicate the size of large type b: the unit of fineness of halftones expressed as the number of screen lines to the linear inch 11: merchandise or services of the same general class for sale or regularly available 12 a: a source of information :insightb: betting odds offered by a bookmaker especially on a sporting event 13: a complete game of 10 frames in bowling —called also string 14:line drive
— liny also lin·ey\ˈlī-nē\adjective
— between the lines1: by implication : in an indirect way 2: by way of inference
— down the line1: all the way :fully 2: in the future
— in line for: due or in a position to receive
— on line: in or into operation
— on the line1: at great risk <puts his future on the line by backing that policy> 2: on the border between two categories
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