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strand²

(strănd)

1. A complex of fibers or filaments that have been twisted together to form a cable, rope, thread, or yarn.

a. A single filament, such as a fiber or thread, of a woven or braided material.

b. A ropelike length of something: a strand of pearls; a strand of DNA.

c. A wisp or lock of hair.

3. One of the elements woven together to make an intricate whole, such as the plot of a novel.

tr.v. strand·ed, strand·ing, strands

1. To make or form (a rope, for example) by twisting strands together.

2. To break a strand of (a rope, for example).

[Middle English strond.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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