twine

¹twine

noun \ˈtwīn\

Definition of TWINE

1

: a strong string of two or more strands twisted together

2

archaic : a twined or interlaced part or object

3

archaic : an act of twining, interlacing, or embracing

— twiny \ˈtwī-nē\ adjective

Examples of TWINE

1. The package was wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine.
2. a strong piece of twine

Origin of TWINE

Middle English twin, from Old English twīn; akin to Middle Dutch twijn twine, Old English twā two

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with TWINE

bine, brine, chine, cline, dine, dyne, fine, Jain, line, Main, mine, nine, pine, Quine, Rhine, rind, shine, shrine, sign, spine, spline, stein, swine, syne, thine, tine, trine, vine, whine, wine

²twine

verb

twinedtwin·ing

Definition of TWINE

transitive verb

1

a : to twist together

b : to form by twisting : weave

2

a : interlace <the girl twined her hands — John Buchan>

b : to cause to encircle or enfold something

c : to cause to be encircled

intransitive verb

1

: to coil about a support

2

: to stretch or move in a sinuous manner : meander <the river twines through the valley>

— twin·er noun

First Known Use of TWINE

13th century

³twine

verb

twinedtwin·ing

Definition of TWINE

transitive verb

chiefly Scottish

: to cause (one) to lose possession : deprive <twined him of his nose — J. C. Ransom>

intransitive verb

chiefly Scottish : part <you and me must twine — R. L. Stevenson>

Origin of TWINE

alteration of Scots twin, from Middle English twinnen, from twin double

First Known Use: 1722