Thread Definition
thrĕd
threaded, threading, threads
noun
threads
A light, fine, stringlike length of material made up of two or more fibers or strands of spun cotton, flax, silk, etc. twisted together and used in sewing.
Webster's New World
A similar fine length of synthetic material, as nylon or plastic, or of glass or metal.
Webster's New World
A piece of such cord.
American Heritage
The fine, stringy filament extruded by a spider, silkworm, etc.
Webster's New World
Any of the yarns of which a fabric is woven.
Webster's New World
verb
threaded, threading, threads
To put a thread through the eye of (a needle, etc.)
Webster's New World
To pass (something) through in the manner of a thread.
Thread the wire through the opening.
American Heritage
To arrange thread for use on (a sewing machine)
Webster's New World
To string (beads, etc.) on or as if on a thread.
Webster's New World
To pass through by twisting, turning, or weaving in and out.
To thread the streets.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
- draw
- string
- wander
- meander
- wind
- weave
- slip through
- wind through
- run-through
- wire
- weave together
- attach
- string-together
Origin of Thread
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From Middle English threed, þred, from Old English þrǽd, ðrǽd, from Proto-Germanic *þrēduz, from Proto-Indo-European *treh₁-tu-, from *terh₁- (“rub, twist”). Near cognates include Dutch draad German Draht, Icelandic þráður and Norwegian, Danish and Swedish tråd. Non-Germanic cognates include Albanian dredh (“twist, turn”).
From Wiktionary
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Middle English from Old English thrǣd terə-1 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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