Threadlike: meaning, definitions and examples
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threadlike
[ θrɛdlaɪk ]
physical structure
Threadlike refers to something that resembles a thread in its thinness, long shape, or delicate nature. This term is often used to describe structures or formations that appear slender and elongated, similar to a piece of thread.
Synonyms
filamentary, slender, string-like.
Examples of usage
- The threadlike fibers were barely visible to the naked eye.
- She noted the threadlike strands of hair on the doll.
- The threadlike roots of the plant spread across the soil.
- The artist used threadlike lines to create a delicate design.
Etymology
The word 'threadlike' is derived from the base word 'thread', which comes from the Old English term 'thræd', meaning 'to twist' or 'to spin'. This word has its origins in Proto-Germanic *thraðaz, which also relates to twisting or intertwining strands. The suffix '-like' is added to indicate similarity or resemblance, making 'threadlike' literally mean 'similar to a thread'. The use of 'thread' in various contexts can be traced back to its essential role in textiles and sewing, highlighting the importance of threads in creating fabrics. In modern usage, 'threadlike' is often employed in scientific contexts, particularly in biology and materials science, to describe fine structures that share characteristics with threads.