Line

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Contents

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English


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Etymology

From:

  1. Old English line
  2. Anglo-Saxon līne (meaning: cable, hawser)

both probably from Latin linea (meaning: a linen thread, string, line) and from linum (meaning: flax, thread, linen, cable)

but the English word was influenced by the French ligne (meaning: line) from the same Latin word linea.

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Pronounciation

/l'yn/

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Noun

line (plural: lines)

  1. A rope, cord, or string. (fishing line, anchor line)
  2. A path through two or more points. (See also segment.)
  3. (geometry) An infinitely extending one-dimensional figure that has no curvature.
  4. (geometry) (informal) A line segment; a continuous finite segment of such a figure.
  5. (mathematics{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}) That which has length, but not breadth or thickness.
  6. A sentence of dialogue in a script or screenplay, or delivered by an actor or performer.
    Quotation: It's a small part, I have 12 lines in the movie. - Geneveve Bujold in Earthquake
  7. The official, stated position of an individual or political faction.
    Example: Remember, your answers must match the party line.
  8. A telephone or network connection.
    Example: I tried to make a call, but the line was dead.
  9. A more-or-less straight sequence of people, objects, etc, waiting to be processed or dealt with, a queue.
    Example: The line forms on the right.
  10. A single horizontal row of text on a CRT screen, printed paper, etc.
  11. The products or services sold by a business. (Also called line of business.)
  12. From the services a business sells, the business itself.
    Example: How many buses does the line have?
    Example: The airline is in danger of bankruptcy.
    Example: A ship of the line
  13. (fencing) The position in which the fencers hold their swords. (Also called line of engagement.)
  14. A letter, a written form of communication.
    Example: Drop me a line.
  15. (graph theory) An edge of a graph.
  16. (cricket) the horizontal path of a ball towards the batsman (see also length)
  17. (baseball) (slang{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}) an 1800s baseball term meaning the batter's box, often used with "the"
  18. (obsolete{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}) Flax; linen.
    Quotation: Garments made of line. --Spenser
  19. (obsolete{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}) The longer and fiber of flax.
  20. linen thread or string; a slender, strong cord; also, a cord of any thickness; a rope; a hawser; as, a fishing line; a line for snaring birds; a clothesline; a towline.
    Quotation: Who so layeth lines for to latch fowls. --Piers Plowman
  21. A more or less threadlike mark of pen, pencil, or graver; any long mark; as, a chalk line.
  22. The course followed by anything in motion; hence, a road or route; as, the arrow descended in a curved line; the place is remote from lines of travel.
  23. Direction; as, the line sight or vision.
  24. A row of letters, words, etc., written or printed; esp., a row of words extending across a page or column.
  25. A short letter; a note; as, a line from a friend.
  26. (poetic) A verse, or the words which form a certain number of feet, according to the measure.
    Quotation: In the preceding line Ulysses speaks of Nausicaa. --Broome
  27. Course of conduct, thought, occupation, or policy; method of argument; department of industry, trade, or intellectual activity.
    Quotation: He is uncommonly powerful in his own line, but it is not the line of a first-rate man. --Coleridge
  28. The exterior limit of a figure, plat, or territory; boundary; contour; outline.
    Quotation: Eden stretched her line From Auran eastward to the royal towers Of great Seleucia. --Milton
  29. A threadlike crease marking the face or the hand; hence, characteristic mark.
    Quotation: Though on his brow were graven lines austere. --Byron
    He tipples palmistry, and dines On all her fortune-telling lines. --Cleveland
  30. Lineament; feature; figure.
    Quotation: The lines of my boy's face. --Shak.
  31. A straight row; a continued series or rank; as, a line of houses, or of soldiers; a line of barriers.
    Quotation: Unite thy forces and attack their lines. --Dryden
  32. A series or succession of ancestors or descandants of a given person; a family or race; as, the ascending or descending line; the line of descent; the male line; a line of kings.
    Of his lineage am I, and his offspring By very line, as of the stock real. --Chaucer
  33. A connected series of public conveyances, and hence, an established arrangement for forwarding merchandise, etc.; as, a line of stages; an express line.
  34. (geography{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}) A circle of latitude or of longitude, as represented on a map.
  35. (geography{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}) The equator (usually called the line, or equinoctial line; as, to cross the line)
  36. A long tape, or a narrow ribbon of steel, etc., marked with subdivisions, as feet and inches, for measuring; a tapeline.
  37. (Bible) A measuring line or cord.
    Quotation: He marketh it out with a line. --Is. xliv. 13
  38. (Bible) That which was measured by a line, as a field or any piece of land set apart; hence, allotted place of abode.
    Quotation: The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yes. I have a goodly heritage. --Ps. xvi. 6
  39. (Bible) Instruction; doctrine.
    Quotation: Their line is gone out through all the earth. -- Ps. xix. 4
  40. (engineering{{#if:|, {{{2}}}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}){{#if:|[[Category: {{{2}}}]]}}{{#if:|[[Category: {{{3}}}]]}}{{#if:|[[Category: {{{4}}}]]}}{{#if:|[[Category: {{{5}}}]]}}{{#if:|[[Category: {{{6}}}]]}}{{#if:|[[Category: {{{7}}}]]}}{{#if:|[[Category: {{{8}}}]]}}{{#if:|[[Category: {{{9}}}]]}} The proper relative position or adjustment of parts, not as to design or proportion, but with reference to smooth working; as, the engine is in line or out of line or out of line.
  41. The track and roadbed of a railway; railroad.
  42. (military) A row of men who are abreast of one another, whether side by side or some distance apart; -- opposed to column.
  43. (military) The regular infantry of an army, as distinguished from militia, guards, volunteer corps, cavalry, artillery, etc.
  44. (fortifications) A trench or rampart.
  45. (music) One of the straight horizontal and parallel prolonged strokes on and between which the notes are placed.
  46. (Stock Exchange) A number of shares taken by a jobber.
  47. (Trade) A series of various qualities and values of the same general class of articles; as, a full line of hosiery; a line of merinos, etc. (McElrath)
  48. The wire connecting one telegraphic station with another, or the whole of a system of telegraph wires under one management and name.
  49. A measure of length; one twelfth of an inch.
    Quotation: Hard lines, hard lot. --C. Kingsley
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Synonyms

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Translations

A rope, cord, or string

A path through two or more points

geometry: an infinite one-dimensional figure

geometry: a continuous finite segment of such a figure

A sentence of dialogue in a script or screenplay

The official, stated position of an individual or political faction

A telephone or network connection

a queue

  • Swedish: kö c.

A single horizontal row of text on a screen, printed paper, etc.

  • Swedish: rad c.

The products or services sold by a business

From the services a business sells, the business itself

fencing: the position in which the fencers hold their swords

A letter, a written form of communication

graph theory: An edge of a graph

cricket: the horizontal path of a ball towards the batsman

baseball slang: an 1800s baseball term meaning the batter's box, often used with "the"

obsolete: flax; linen

See flax and linen

obsolete: the longer and fiber of flax

See flax and linen

linen thread or string; a slender, strong cord

A more or less threadlike mark of pen, pencil, or graver; any long mark; as, a chalk line

The course followed by anything in motion

Direction; as, the line sight or vision

A row of letters, words, etc.

A short letter; a note; as, a line from a friend.

(poetic) A verse, or the words which form a certain number of feet, according to the measure

Course of conduct, thought, occupation, or policy

mathematics: that which has length, but not breadth or thickness

The exterior limit of a figure, plat, or territory; boundary; contour; outline

A threadlike crease marking the face or the hand; hence, characteristic mark

Lineament; feature; figure

straight row; a continued series or rank; as, a line of houses, or of soldiers

A series or succession of ancestors or descendants of a given person

A connected series of public conveyances, and hence, an established arrangement for forwarding merchandise, etc.

geography: a circle of latitude or of longitude, as represented on a map

geography: the equator (usually called the line, or equinoctial line; as, to cross the line)

A long tape, or a narrow ribbon of steel, etc., marked with subdivisions, as feet and inches, for measuring; a tapeline

Bible: A measuring line or cord

Bible: That which was measured by a line, as a field or any piece of land set apart

Bible: Instruction; doctrine

engineering: the proper relative position or adjustment of parts, not as to design or proportion, but with reference to smooth working

The track and roadbed of a railway; railroad

military: a row of men who are abreast of one another, whether side by side or some distance apart

military: the regular infantry of an army, as distinguished from militia, guards, volunteer corps, cavalry, artillery, etc.

fortifications: a trench or rampart

music: one of the straight horizontal and parallel prolonged strokes on and between which the notes are placed

Stock Exchange: A number of shares taken by a jobber

Trade: A series of various qualities and values of the same general class of articles; as, a full line of hosiery

The wire connecting one telegraphic station with another, or the whole of a system of telegraph wires under one management and name

A measure of length; one twelfth of an inch

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Translations to be checked


The translations below need to be checked and inserted into the appropriate table(s) above, removing any numbers. Bear in mind that there are separate pages for different capitalisations. If a translation table directs the user to another page, then move the translation to that page.

When initially tagging an entry with this template, be sure to enclose each language in a {{ttbc|...}} tag to subcategorize it properly. For example, the line

*[[French]]: [[jour]] {{m}}<tt> should become <tt>*{{ttbc|French}}: [[jour]] {{m}}

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Derived terms

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Transitive verb

line (lines, lined)

  1. to cover the inside surface of (something)
    Example: The bird lines its nest with soft grass.
  2. to place (objects) into a line (usually used with "up")
  3. to mark with a line
  4. To cover the inner surface of; as, to line a cloak with silk or fur; to line a box with paper or tin.
    Quotation: The inside lined with rich carnation silk. --W. Browne
  5. To put something in the inside of; to fill; to supply, as a purse with money.
    Quotation: The charge amounteth very high for any one man's purse, except lined beyond ordinary, to reach unto. --Carew.
    Quotation: Till coffee has her stomach lined. --Swift
  6. To place persons or things along the side of for security or defense; to strengthen by adding; to fortify; as, to line works with soldiers.
    Quotation: Line and new repair our towns of war With men of courage and with means defendant. --Shak.
  7. (obsolete{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}) To impregnate (applied to brute animals. Creech.)
  8. To mark with a line or lines; to cover with lines; as, to line a copy book.
    Quotation: He had a healthy color in his cheeks, and his face, though lined, bore few traces of anxiety. --Dickens
  9. (obsolete{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}) To represent by lines; to delineate; to portray.
    Quotation: Pictures fairest lined. --Shak.
  10. To read or repeat line by line; as, to line out a hymn.
    Etymological note: This custom of reading or lining, or, as it was frequently called deaconing the hymn or psalm in the churches, was brought about partly from necessity. -- N.D. Gould
  11. To form into a line; to align; as, to line troops.
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Translations

to cover the inside surface of (something)

to place (objects) into a line)

to mark with a line

To cover the inner surface of

To place persons or things along the side of for security or defense

obsolete: to impregnate

To mark with a line or lines; to cover with lines; as, to line a copy book

obsolete: to represent by lines; to delineate; to portray

To read or repeat line by line; as, to line out a hymn

To form into a line; to align; as, to line troops

The translations below need to be checked and inserted into the appropriate table(s) above, removing any numbers. Bear in mind that there are separate pages for different capitalisations. If a translation table directs the user to another page, then move the translation to that page.

When initially tagging an entry with this template, be sure to enclose each language in a {{ttbc|...}} tag to subcategorize it properly. For example, the line

*[[French]]: [[jour]] {{m}}<tt> should become <tt>*{{ttbc|French}}: [[jour]] {{m}}

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Intransitive verb

line (lines, lined, lining)

  1. to form or enter into a line (usually used with "up")
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Translations

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See also

Part or all of this page has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster's Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing.

fr:line

io:line it:line hu:line pt:line sr:line fi:line ta:line zh:line

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