Line Definition

līn

lined, lines, lining

noun

lines

A long, fine, strong cord with a hook, sinker, leader, etc., used in fishing.

Webster's New World

A crease in the skin, especially on the face; a wrinkle.

American Heritage

A real or imaginary mark positioned in relation to fixed points of reference.

American Heritage

A rein.

Webster's New World

A very thin, threadlike mark.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
persuasion
patter
prepared speech
involvement
materials
trade
by-and-by
presently
after a while
wholly
thoroughly
entirely
bus company
airline
discover a hidden meaning

Antonyms:

verb

lined, lines, lining

To mark with lines.

Webster's New World

To form a line.

Webster's New World

To draw or trace with or as with lines.

Webster's New World

To cover the inner surface of.

Moisture lined the walls of the cave.

American Heritage

To bring or cause to come into a straight row or into conformity; bring into alignment.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
draw up
line left
line right
list space
place
fix
bring into a line with others
set out
group
array
range
marshal
face in
queue
align

Antonyms:

adjective

Of or having to do with the managing of departments, operations, etc. which are involved directly in producing income, as in production or sales as distinguished from those involved in routine internal functions.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

idiom

all along the line

In every place.
At every stage or moment.

American Heritage

down the line

All the way; throughout:
Errors are to be found down the line.
At a point or an end in the future.

American Heritage

in line for

Next in order for:
in line for the presidency.

American Heritage

on the line

Ready or available for immediate payment.
So as to be risked; in jeopardy:

American Heritage

out of line

Uncalled-for; improper.
Unruly and out of control.

American Heritage

Other Word Forms of Line

Noun

Singular:

line

Plural:

lines

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Line

all along the line
down the line
in line for
on the line
out of line
line (one's) pockets
all along the line
bring (or come or get) into line
down the line
draw the line
get a line on
hard lines
hit the line
hold the line
in line
in line for
in the line of duty
lay it on the line
line out
line up
on a line
on line
on the line
out of line
read between the lines
the end of the line

Origin of Line

From Middle English line, lyne, from Old English lÄ«ne (“line, cable, rope, hawser, series, row, rule, direction"), from Proto-Germanic *lÄ«nÇ (“line, rope, flaxen cord, thread"), from Proto-Germanic *lÄ«nÄ… (“flax, linen"), from Proto-Indo-European *lÄ«n- (“flax").

From Wiktionary
Middle English from Old English līne and from Old French ligne both from Latin līnea string, cord from feminine of līneus of linen from līnum thread, linen lī̆no- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English linen from line flax, linen cloth from Old English līn from Latin līnum lī̆no- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Influenced in Middle English by Middle French ligne (“line"), from Latin linea. More at linen.

From Wiktionary
The oldest sense of the word is "rope, cord, thread"; from this the senses "path", "continuous mark" were derived.

From Wiktionary
Old English lÄ«n (“flax, linen, cloth"). For more information, see the entry "linen".

From Wiktionary
From Middle French ligner.

From Wiktionary