Main Entry: ¹string

Pronunciation: \ˈstriŋ\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English streng; akin to Old High German strang rope, Latin stringere to bind tight — more at strain

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a cord usually used to bind, fasten, or tie —often used attributively <a string bag> b : something that resembles a string <garnished with potato strings>
2 a archaic : a cord (as a tendon or ligament) of an animal body b : a plant fiber (as a leaf vein)
3 a : the gut, wire, or nylon cord of a musical instrument b plural (1) : the stringed instruments of an orchestra (2) : the players of such instruments
4 : the gut, wire, or cord of a racket or shooting bow
5 a : a group of objects threaded on a string <a string of fish> <a string of pearls> b (1) : a series of things arranged in or as if in a line <a string of cars> <a string of names> (2) : a sequence of like items (as bits, characters, or words) c : a group of business properties scattered geographically <a string of newspapers> d : the animals and especially horses belonging to or used by one individual
6 a : a means of recourse : expedient b : a group of players ranked according to skill or proficiency
7 : succession 3a <a string of successes>
8 : one of the inclined sides of a stair supporting the treads and risers
9 a : balkline 1 b : the action of lagging for break in billiards
10 : line 13
11 plural a : contingent conditions or obligations b : control, domination
12 : a hypothetical one-dimensional object that is infinitely thin but has a length of 10⁻³³ centimeters, that vibrates as it moves through space, and whose mode of vibration manifests itself as a subatomic particle

— string·less \ˈstriŋ-ləs\ adjective

— on the string : subject to one's influences