string English · revision 5528

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 725, Beowulf|origins=gem-pro *strangiz}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /strɪŋ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|streng]], [[inh|ang|streng|t=line, cord, thread]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[gem-pro|*strangiz]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) also the source of Old Norse strengr, Dutch streng and German Strang “rope, cord”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to [[strong]].^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021) Etymonline traces it to a root meaning “taut, stiff”, from [[ine-pro|*strenk-|t=tight, narrow]].^(Etymonline) The verb is from the noun.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A line or cord, in early use of any thickness: before 900; the Old English word is in Beowulf, about 725.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) It also meant the string of a bow or harp, and in the plural a ship's tackle.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word was gradually restricted to thinner cords, and the general material sense “thin cord” is from 1827.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The Old English sense “sinew, tendon” survives in [[hamstring]] and ''heart-strings''.^(Etymonline) A number of things in a row or on a string is from 1488–92,^(Barnhart 1988) and a continuous series of events from 1710.^(Etymonline) ''To pull strings'' (1860) is an image from puppetry.^(Etymonline) A string as a condition attached to something is American from 1888, hence ''no strings attached''.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(Cresswell 2021) The verb, to fit a bow with a string, is from about 1400,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) a musical instrument from 1530, and to thread beads from 1612.^(Barnhart 1988) ''String along'', to deceive, is slang from 1902.^(Etymonline) In computing a string is a sequence of characters.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 725 – a cord, in Beowulf.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1400 – the verb, to string a bow.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1488 – a row of things.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1710 – a series of events.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1860 – ''pull strings''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1888 – a condition (US).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Thin [[cord]] used for tying or fastening things.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A set of things threaded together, or a series of similar things or events: ''a string of beads'', ''a string of wins''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A tight wire or cord on a [[musical instrument]] that sounds when played.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(the strings)'' The stringed instruments of an [[orchestra]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(often strings)'' A condition attached to an offer: ''no strings attached''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(computing)'' A [[sequence]] of characters.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To fit an instrument or a bow with strings.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To thread things on a string, or hang them in a line.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(with along, informal)'' To deceive or keep someone waiting.^(Collins 2023)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[stringless]]

+ * [[stringlike]]

+ * [[drawstring]]

+ * [[hamstring]]

+ * [[latchstring]]

+ * [[superstring]]

+ * [[unstring]]

+ * [[G-string]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[string along]]

+ * [[strong]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}