What does STRAW mean?

Parts of Speech: Noun, verb, adjective

Definitions:

• Noun: a thin tube of plastic or paper used to suck liquids from a container; dried stalks of grain used as animal feed or for thatching roofs; a single straw or a mass of them used as a drinking tube; a thin, flexible object used for weaving or plaiting things together.
• Verb: to suck up (a drink) through a straw; to remove the seeds from (berries) using a straw; to make straw from (a plant); to cover (a roof) with straw or a similar material.
• Adjective: of a pale yellow color like that of straw; of or relating to straw or its use.

Pronunciations:

• US: /strɔ/
• UK: /strɔː/

Origin and Usage: The word "straw" comes from the Old English word "streaw." It has been used since the 14th century to refer to dried stalks of grain, which were commonly used as animal feed or for thatching roofs. The use of straws as drinking tubes began in the 19th century and has since become a common practice. The verb "straw" has been used since the 15th century to mean "to cover with straw or a similar material." The adjective "straw" has been used since the 16th century to describe the color of dried straw.

Synonyms:

• Tube
• Stalk
• Hay
• Plait
• Yellowish

Related Words: