Thready Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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thready

[ฮธrษ›di ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

material appearance

Thready refers to something that resembles or consists of threads. It can describe a texture that is thin, delicate, or filamentous in nature. In various contexts, it may suggest fragility or a wispy quality. The term is often used in textiles or to characterize certain biological structures.

Synonyms

filamentous, slender, stringy.

Examples of usage

  • The fabric had a thready texture that felt soft to the touch.
  • Under the microscope, the thready cells were difficult to distinguish.
  • The artist used thready lines to create a sense of movement in the painting.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In poetry, the term 'thready' often describes something fragile or ephemeral, enhancing the emotional weight of the text.
  • Classic literature sometimes uses a 'thready' description to evoke imagery of vulnerability and delicateness in characters or settings.

Science

  • In medicine, the term 'thready pulse' describes a weak, barely detectable heartbeat, often indicating serious health conditions.
  • Materials science examines thready structures in filaments used for textiles and insulation, highlighting their unique properties.

Art

  • Artists use thready lines in drawing to convey delicacy and detail, influencing the viewer's perception of the artwork's texture.
  • In sculpture, thready designs can represent fragility and transience, often making a bold statement in modern installations.

Cultural References

  • In fashion, 'thready' designs often emphasize lightweight, flowing fabrics, reflecting trends towards minimalism and comfort.
  • Some cultures use 'thread-like' patterns in their traditional textiles as symbols of connection and continuity between generations.

Origin of 'thready'

Main points about word origin

  • Derived from the word 'thread,' which comes from Old English 'thrฤ“od,' meaning to twist or spin.
  • In different languages, similar words for 'thread' carry meanings related to weaving and fabric.
  • The concept of being 'thready' likely emerged in the 14th century to describe both physical objects and conditions.

The word 'thready' stems from the Old English 'thrฤ“od', which means a thread or string. This origin reflects the fundamental characteristic of the word, which pertains to something that resembles a thread. Over time, 'thready' has been used in various contexts, especially in textiles and biology, to describe something that is thread-like in appearance or form. It captures the essential quality of being thin, delicate, or wispy, much like a single strand of thread. The usage of the term has expanded into artistic language as well, where it can describe styles that employ fine, thread-like outlines or textures. This evolution of 'thready' illustrates the interplay between its original meaning and its broader applications in modern language.