Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Straw
Straw
,Noun.
[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
.] 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. Chaucer.
☞ 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]
Webster 1828 Edition
Straw
STRAW
,Noun.
1.
The stalk or stem of certain species of grain, pulse, &c. Chiefly of wheat, rye, oats, barley, buckwheat and peas. When used of single stalks, it admits of a plural, straws. Straws may show which way the wind blows. We say of grain while growing, the straw is large, or it is rusty.2.
A mass of the stalks of certain species of grain when cut, and after being thrashed; as a bundle or a load of straw. In this sense, the word admits not the plural number.3.
Any thing proverbially worthless. I care not a straw for the play. I will not abate a straw.STRAW
,Verb.
T.