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 aarchaic : 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 bplural (1): the stringed instruments of an orchestra (2): the players of such instruments4: the gut, wire, or cord of a racket or shooting bow5 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 individual6 a: a means of recourse : expedient b: a group of players ranked according to skill or proficiency7: succession 3a <a string of successes>8: one of the inclined sides of a stair supporting the treads and risers9 a: balkline 1 b: the action of lagging for break in billiards10: line 1311plural a: contingent conditions or obligations b: control, domination12: 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