string (strĭng)

---

[Middle English, from Old English streng.]

noun 

1. A cord usually made of fiber, used for fastening, tying, or lacing.
2. Something configured as a long, thin line: limp strings of hair.
3. A plant fiber.
4. A set of objects threaded together: a string of beads.
5. A series of similar or related acts, events, or items arranged or falling in or as if in a line. See synonyms at series
6. Computer Science A set of consecutive characters.
7. Informal
   1. A set of animals, especially racehorses, belonging to a single owner; a stable.
   2. A scattered group of businesses under a single ownership or management: a string of boutiques.
8. Sports A group of players ranked according to ability within a team: He made the second string.
9. Music
   1. A cord stretched on an instrument and struck, plucked, or bowed to produce tones.
   2. strings. The section of a band or orchestra composed of stringed instruments.
   3. strings. Stringed instruments or their players considered as a group.
10. Architecture
    1. A stringboard.
    2. A stringcourse.
11. Games The balk line in billiards.
12. Sports A complete game consisting of ten frames in bowling.
13. Informal A limiting or hidden condition. Often used in the plural: a gift with no strings attached.

verb: strung (strŭng), string·ing, strings. 

transitive verb 

1. To fit or furnish with strings or a string: string a guitar.
2. To thread on a string.
3. To arrange in a string or series. Often used with out.
4. To fasten, tie, or hang with a string or strings.
5. To stretch out or extend: string a wire across a room.
6. To strip (vegetables) of fibers.

intransitive verb 

1. To form strings or become stringlike.
2. To extend or progress in a string, line, or succession.

phrasal verbs

string along

To go along with something; agree.

To keep (someone) waiting or in a state of uncertainty.

To fool, cheat, or deceive.

string out

To draw out; prolong.

string up

To kill (someone) by hanging.

idioms

on a string

Under one's complete control or influence.