line
Cross references:
1. string
1. line \'li-n\ vt [ME linen, fr. line flax, fr. OE li-n - more at LINEN]
1: to cover the inner surface of {~ cloak with silk} 2: to put something
in the inside of : SUPPLY 3: to serve as the lining of {tapestries lined
the walls} obs 4: FORTIFY : to take money freely esp. from questionable
sources - line one's pockets
2. line also lin.ey \'li--ne-\ n [ME; partly fr. OF ligne, fr. L linea, fr.
fem. of lineus mad] often attrib e of flax, fr. linum flax; partly fr. OE
li-ne; akin to OE li-n 1a: THREAD, STRING, CORD, ROPE : as 1a1: a
comparatively strong slender cord 1a2: CLOTHESLINE 1a3: a rope used on
shipboard 1b1: a device for catching fish consisting of a cord with hooks
and other a ppurtenances 1b2: scope for activity 1c: a length of material
used in measuring and leveling 1d: piping for conveying a fluid (as steam)
1e1: a wire or pair of wires connecting one telegraph or telephone station
with another or a whole system of such wires 1e2: the principal circuits
of an electric power system 2a: a horizontal row of written or printed
characters 2b: a unit in the rhythmic structure of verse formed by the
grouping of a n umber of the smallest units of the rhythm (as metrical
feet) 2c: a short letter : NOTE 2d: a certificate of marriage 2e: the
words making up a part in a drama - usu. used in pl. 3a: something (as a
ridge or seam) that is distinct, elongated, and narrow 3b: a narrow crease
(as on the face) : CRINKLE 3c: the course or direction of something in
motion : ROUTE 3d1: a real or imaginary straight line oriented in terms of
stable points o f reference 3d2: a state of agreeement 3e: a boundary esp.
of a plot of ground - usu. used in pl. 3f: the track and roadbed of a
railway 4a: a course of conduct, action, or thought 4b: a field of
activity or interest 4c: a glib often persuasive way of talking 5a:
LIMIT, RESTRAINT archaic 5b: position in life : LOT 6a1: FAMILY, LINEAGE
6a2: a strain produced and maintained by selective breeding 6a3: a
chronological series 6b: dispositions made to cover extended military
positions and presenting a front to the enemy - usu. used in pl. 6c: a
military formation in which the different elements are abreast of eac h
other 6d: naval ships arranged in a regular order 6e1: the combatant
forces of an army distinguished from the staff corps and supply services
6e2: the force of a regular navy 6f1: officers of the navy eligible for
command at sea distinguished from of ficers of the staff 6f2: officers of
the army belonging to a combatant branch 6g: a rank of objects of one kind
6h: a group of public conveyances plying regularly under one management
ove r a route; broadly : a system of transportation or the company owning
or operating it 6i: a succession of musical notes esp. considered in
melodic phrases 6j: an arrangement of operations in manufacturing
permitting sequential occ urrence on various stages of production 6k1: the
7 players including center, 2 guards, 2 tackles, and 2 ends who in
offensive football play line up on or within one foot of the line of
scrimmage 6k2: the players who indefensive play line up within one yard of
the line o f scrimmage 7: a narrow elongated mark drawn or projected : as
7a1: a circle of latitude or longitude on a map 7a2: EQUATOR 7b: a mark
(as on a map) recording a boundary, division, or contour 7c: any of the
horizontal parallel strokes on a music staff 7d: a mark (as by pencil)
that forms part of the formal design of a picture distinguished from the
shading or color 7e: a division on a bridge score dividing the honors from
the tricks 7f1: a demarcation of a limit with reference to which the
playing of some g ame or sport is regulated - usu. used in combination 7f2:
LINE OF SCRIMMAGE 8: a straight or curved geometric element that is
generated by a moving poi nt and that has extension only along the path of
the point : CURVE 9a: a defining outline : CONTOUR 9b: a general plan :
MODEL - usu. used in pl. chiefly Brit 10a: PICA - used to indicate the
size of large type 10b: the unit of fineness of halftones expressed as the
number of screen li nes to the linear inch 11: a stock of goods on hand of
the same general class of articles 12: a source of information : INSIGHT
13: a complete game of 10 frames in bowling : all the way : FULLY : due
or in a position to receive 1: in full view and at hazard 2: on the
border between two categories 3: IMMEDIATELY - lin.y aj
3. line vt 1: to mark or cover with a line or lines 2: to depict with
lines : DRAW 3: to place or form a line along {pedestrians ~ the walks}
4a: to form into a line or lines : ALIGN {~ up troops} 4b: ORGANIZE {~ up
votes} 5: to throw or hit (as a baseball) so as to cause to travel swiftly
and no t far above the ground 1: to form a line - often used with up 2: to
hit a line drive in baseball 3: ALIGN a line or lines. LINE implies a
setting in single file or in parallel rows; ALIGN implies a bringing of
points or parts into a straight line; RANGE implies a forming in parallel
lines but may connote a separation into groups or classes; ARRAY applies
esp. to a setting in battle order and therefore suggests readiness for
action or use as well as impressive aspect SYN syn LINE, ALIGN, RANGE,
ARRAY mean to arrange in
Webster's English Dictionary