STRAW • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Straw

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/strɔ/ Listen

noun

Straw n.

1.

A stalk or stem of certain species of grain, pulse, etc., especially of wheat, rye, oats, barley, more rarely of buckwheat, beans, and pease.

2.

The gathered and thrashed stalks of certain species of grain, etc.; as, a bundle, or a load, of rye straw.

3.

Anything proverbially worthless; the least possible thing; a mere trifle. "I set not a straw by thy dreamings." Note: Straw is often used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, straw-built, straw-crowned, straw-roofed, straw-stuffed, and the like.

Man of straw, an effigy formed by stuffing the garments of a man with straw; hence, a fictitious person; an irresponsible person; a puppet.

Straw bail, worthless bail, as being given by irresponsible persons. (Colloq. U.S.)

Straw bid, a worthless bid; a bid for a contract which the bidder is unable or unwilling to fulfill. (Colloq. U.S.)

Straw cat (Zool.), the pampas cat.

Straw color, the color of dry straw, being a delicate yellow.

Straw drain, a drain filled with straw.

Straw plait, or Straw plat, a strip formed by plaiting straws, used for making hats, bonnets, etc.

To be in the straw, to be brought to bed, as a pregnant woman. (Slang)

verb

Straw v. t. To spread or scatter. See Strew, and Strow.

See images of 'Straw'

Etymology of 'Straw'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Straw" Quotes from Famous Books

... there was a door between the two, which we found we could open, and so she and the young gentlemen were able to consult what to do. The furniture of our room hadn't much to boast of. Our beds were only heaps of straw, with bits of sacking on the top; there was no table, and only some rough benches to sit on. Miss O'Regan was very little better off. She had a sort of bed and chair, and a heap of straw for Polly; but after a time the gaoler's wife, I suppose she was, ...

— The Three Lieutenants • W.H.G. Kingston

... up alongside, a most aristocratic-looking man stepped to leeward, and, grasping lightly with one hand the aftermost shroud, while with the other he slightly lifted his straw hat in ...

— For Treasure Bound • Harry Collingwood

... would have his revenge on the insolent scoundrel. He might think he could insult Colonel Dearman's wife with impunity, he might think himself entitled to cast ridicule on Colonel Dearman's Corps—but "let the Major carry on as it is getting late!" By God that was too much!—That was the last straw that breaks the camel's heart—and Colonel Dearman would have his revenge or lose life, honour, ...

— Driftwood Spars - The Stories of a Man, a Boy, a Woman, and Certain Other People Who - Strangely Met Upon the Sea of Life • Percival Christopher Wren

... hole like worm hole dere is de clam. He breathe up tru dat, and suck in his drink like sherry-cobbler through a straw. Whar dere is no little air holes, dere is no clam, dat are a fac. Now, Massa, can you tell who is de most knowin' clam-digger in de worl? De gull is, Massa; and he eat his clam raw, as some folks who don't know nuffin' bout cookin' eat oysters. He take ...

— Nature and Human Nature • Thomas Chandler Haliburton

... her, whereupon she saw A smiling baby in a wad of straw; She took it up, and said, in accents mild— Tare an' agurs, girls! which av yez ...

— Supplemental Nights, Volume 3 • Richard F. Burton

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