GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Straw , v. t. To spread or scatter. See Strew, and Strow.
   Chaucer.
   
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2.       
   Straw, n. [OE. straw, stre, stree, AS. streáw, from the root of E. strew; akin to OFries. strē, D. stroo, G. stroh, OHG. strō, Icel. strā, Dan. straa, Sw. strå. √166. See Strew.]
    A stalk or stem of certain species of grain, pulse, etc., especially of wheat, rye, oats, barley, more rarely of buckwheat, beans, and pease.
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   The gathered and thrashed stalks of certain species of grain, etc.; as, a bundle, or a load, of rye straw.
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   Anything proverbially worthless; the least possible thing; a mere trifle.
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   I set not a straw by thy dreamings.
   Chaucer.
   
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   ☞ Straw is often used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, straw-built, straw-crowned, straw-roofed, straw-stuffed, and the like.
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   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]
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