straw

¹straw

noun \ˈstrȯ\

Definition of STRAW

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 braiding

2

: a dry coarse stem especially of a cereal grass

3

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 2

4

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

Examples of STRAW

1. He was chewing on a straw.
2. He asked for a straw for his iced tea.
3. She drank the juice through a straw.

Origin of STRAW

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

Rhymes with STRAW

aw, awe, blaw, braw, ca, caw, chaw, claw, craw, daw, draw, flaw, gnaw, haw, jaw, la, law, maw, pa, paw, pshaw, Ra, rah, raw, saw, shah, shaw, slaw, spa, squaw, tau, taw, thaw, yaw

²straw

adjective

Definition of STRAW

1

: made of straw <a straw hat>

2

: of, relating to, or used for straw <a straw barn>

3

: of the color of straw <straw hair>

4

: of little or no value : worthless

5

: of, relating to, resembling, or being a straw man

6

: of, relating to, or concerned with the discovery of preferences by means of a straw vote

Examples of STRAW

1. <the cheese maker told us that the best Parmesan cheeses are straw, not white, in color>

First Known Use of STRAW

15th century

Related to STRAW

Synonyms

fair, flaxen, golden, sandy, blond, tawny

Related Words

ocherous (or ochreous); ash-blond (or ash-blonde), blondish, strawberry blonde (or strawberry blond), towheaded; gold, light, white

Near Antonyms

black-a-vised, brown, brunet (or brunette), dark, olive, swart, swarthy; black, ebony, raven

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

straw

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Stalks of grasses, particularly cereal grasses such as wheat, oats, rye, barley, and buckwheat. Used collectively, the term means stalks aggregated into bales or piles after the drying and threshing of grain. Since ancient times, humans have used straw as litter and fodder for cattle, as a covering for floors, for coarse bedding, and even as clothing. It can also be woven into baskets, hats, floor mats, and furniture coverings. Thatched roofs consist of straw laid down approximately 1 ft (30 cm) thick and secured by strong cords, with the fibers running in the direction to be taken by rainwater. Chemically pulped straw is used in the manufacture of coarse paper and strawboard, a cardboard for cheap paper boxes.