Definition of dragline
1 : a line used in or for dragging
2 : an excavating machine in which the bucket is attached by cables and operates by being drawn toward the machine
3 : a strong stiff strand of silk produced by a spider especially to form the framework of its web and as a means of lowering itself from and returning to a height
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Recent Examples of dragline from the Web
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Black widow dragline silk is one of the strongest ones.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dragline'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of dragline
1874
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