line
pronunciation
How to pronounce line in British English:
UK [laɪn]
How to pronounce line in American English:
US [laɪn]
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- Noun:
- a formation of people or things one beside another
- a mark that is long relative to its width
- a formation of people or things one behind another
- a length (straight or curved) without breadth or thickness; the trace of a moving point
- text consisting of a row of words written across a page or computer screen
- a single frequency (or very narrow band) of radiation in a spectrum
- a fortified position (especially one marking the most forward position of troops)
- the methodical process of logical reasoning
- a conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power
- a connected series of events or actions or developments
- a spatial location defined by a real or imaginary unidimensional extent
- a slight depression in the smoothness of a surface
- a pipe used to transport liquids or gases
- the road consisting of railroad track and roadbed
- a telephone connection
- acting in conformity
- the descendants of one individual
- something (as a cord or rope) that is long and thin and flexible
- the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
- in games or sports; a mark indicating positions or bounds of the playing area
- (often plural) a means of communication or access
- a particular kind of product or merchandise
- a commercial organization serving as a common carrier
- space for one line of print (one column wide and 1/14 inch deep) used to measure advertising
- the maximum credit that a customer is allowed
- a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
- a short personal letter
- a conceptual separation or demarcation
- mechanical system in a factory whereby an article is conveyed through sites at which successive operations are performed on it
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- Verb:
- be in line with; form a line along
- cover the interior of (garments)
- make a mark or lines on a surface
- mark with lines
- fill plentifully
- reinforce with fabric
Word Origin
- line
- line: [OE] The closest modern English line comes to its ancestor is probably in the fisherman’s ‘rod and line’ – a ‘string’ or ‘chord’. For it goes back to Latin līnea ‘string’. This was a derivative of līnum ‘flax’ (source of English linen), and hence meant etymologically ‘flaxen thread’. English acquired it in two separate phases.First of all it was borrowed directly from Latin in the Old English period, and then it made a return appearance via Old French ligne in the 14th century; the two have coalesced to form modern English line. Derived forms include lineage [14], lineal [15], lineament [15], and liner [19]. The last is based on the sense ‘shipping line’, which goes back to the notion of a ‘line’ or succession of ships plying between ports.=> align, lineal, linen, liner
- line (n.)
- a Middle English merger of Old English line "cable, rope; series, row, row of letters; rule, direction," and Old French ligne "guideline, cord, string; lineage, descent;" both from Latin linea "linen thread, string, line," from phrase linea restis "linen cord," from fem. of lineus (adj.) "of linen," from linum "linen" (see linen). Oldest sense is "rope, cord, string;" extended late 14c. to "a thread-like mark" (from sense "cord used by builders for making things level," mid-14c.), also "track, course, direction." Sense of "things or people arranged in a straight line" is from 1550s. That of "cord bearing hooks used in fishing" is from c. 1300. Meaning "one's occupation, branch of business" is from 1630s, probably from misunderstood KJV translation of 2 Cor. x:16, "And not to boast in another mans line of things made ready to our hand," where line translates Greek kanon, literally "measuring rod." Meaning "class of goods in stock" is from 1834. Meaning "telegraph wire" is from 1847 (later "telephone wire"). Meaning "policy or set of policies of a political faction" is 1892, American English, from notion of a procession of followers; this is the sense in party line. In British army, the Line (1802) is the regular, numbered troops, as distinguished from guards and auxiliaries. In the Navy (1704, as in ship of the line) it refers to the battle line. Lines "words of an actor's part" is from 1882. Lines of communication were originally transverse trenches in siegeworks.
- line (v.1)
- "to cover the inner side of," late 14c., from Old English lin "linen cloth" (see linen). Linen was frequently used in the Middle Ages as a second layer of material on the inner side of a garment. Related: Lined; lining.
- line (v.2)
- late 14c., "to tie with a cord," from line (n.). Meaning "to mark or mark off with lines" is from mid-15c. Sense of "to arrange in a line" is from 1640s; that of "to join a line" is by 1773. To line up "form a line" is attested by 1889, in U.S. football.
Example
- 1. It is the official policy line .
- 2. The exhibition walks a delicate line .
- 3. This line has served meps well .
- 4. The first line just loads the visual module .
- 5. Take the st. charles line to napoleon .