Twine Meaning
/twaɪn/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA twist; a convolution.
nounA strong thread composed of two or three smaller threads or strands twisted together, and used for various purposes, as for binding small parcels, making nets, and the like; a small cord or string.
Sentence Examples
Tom attached some twine to the kite.
Tom tied his tomato plants to stakes with twine.
CEFR Practice Quiz
She used strong ____ to tie the boxes together so they wouldn't fall.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He used a piece of strong ____ to tie the heavy package and ensure that it did not open during the move today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English twyn, twyne, twin, from Old English twīn (“double thread, twist, twine, linen-thread, linen”), from Proto-West Germanic *twiʀn (“thread, twine”), from Proto-Germanic *twiznaz, from Proto-Indo-European *dwisnós (“double”), from *dwóh₁ (“two”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Not Typhon huge ending in ſnaky twine:"
— 1629, John Milton, “On the Morning of Christs Nativity”, in Poems of Mr. John Milton, […], London: […] Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Mosely, […], published 1646, →OCLC, page 11:
"The orioles like to build the framework of twine, and it is marvelous how they will loop this around a twig almost as evenly knotted as if crocheted[…]"
— 1911, Anna Botsford Comstock, Handbook of Nature Study, 24th edition, published 1939, pages 120–121:
"The Colewort's rankness, but with amorous twine / Clasps the tall Elm"
— 1708, [John Philips], “Book I”, in Cyder. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 16:
"Let me twine
Mine arms about that body […]"
— c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene v]:
"She was twining her fingers together."
— 1931, Dashiell Hammett, chapter 10, in The Glass Key, New York: Vintage, published 1972, page 199:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
She used strong ____ to tie the boxes together so they wouldn't fall.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He used a piece of strong ____ to tie the heavy package and ensure that it did not open during the move today.