Main Entry:

¹straw

Pronunciation:

\ˈstrȯ\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English strēaw; akin to Old High German strō straw, Old English strewian to strew

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: stalks of grain after threshing ; broadly : dry stalky plant residue used like grain straw (as for bedding or packing) b: a natural or artificial heavy fiber used for weaving, plaiting, or braiding2: a dry coarse stem especially of a cereal grass3 a (1): something of small worth or significance (2): something too insubstantial to provide support or help in a desperate situation <clutching at straws> b: chaff 24 a: something (as a hat) made of straw b: a tube (as of paper, plastic, or glass) for sucking up a beverage

— strawy \ˈstrȯ-ē\ adjective

— straw in the wind

: a slight fact that is an indication of a coming event