Twine

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -aɪn

Alternative forms

• twyne obsolete

From Middle English twine, twyne, twin, from Old English twīn ("double thread, twist, twine, linen-thread, linen"), from Proto-Germanic *twiznaz ("thread, twine"), from Proto-Indo-European *dwisnós ("double"), from *dwóh₁ ("two"). Cognate with Dutch twijn ("twine"), Dutch tweern ("thread, twine"), German Zwirn ("thread"), Icelandic tvinni ("a double-thread"). More at twire.

Noun

1. A twist; a convolution.
• MiltonTyphon huge, ending in snaky twine.
2. A strong thread composed of two or three smaller threads or strands twisted together, and used for various purposes, as for binding small parcels, making nets, and the like; a small cord or string.
3. The act of twining or winding round.
4. Intimate and suggestive dance gyrations.1965 Pickett, Wilson, Don't Fight It (blues song), BMI Music.
• The way you jerk, the way you do the twine
  You're too much, baby; I'd like to make you mine ...

From Middle English twinen, twynen, from Old English *twīnian ("to twine, thread"), from Proto-Germanic *twiznōną ("to thread"), from Proto-Indo-European *dwisnós ("double"), from *dwóh₁ ("two"). Cognate with Dutch twijnen ("to twine, contort, throw"), Danish tvinde ("to twist"), Swedish tvinna ("to twist, twine, throw"), Icelandic tvinna ("to merge, twine").

Full definition of twine

Verb

1. (transitive) To weave together.
2. (transitive) To wind, as one thread around another, or as any flexible substance around another body.
• ShakespeareLet me twine
  Mine arms about that body.
3. (transitive) To wind about; to embrace; to entwine.
• Alexander PopeLet wreaths of triumph now my temples twine.
4. (intransitive) To mutually twist together; to become mutually involved; to intertwine.
5. (intransitive) To wind; to bend; to make turns; to meander.
• Jonathan SwiftAs rivers, though they bend and twine,
  Still to the sea their course incline.
6. (intransitive) To ascend in spiral lines about a support; to climb spirally.Many plants twine.
7. (obsolete) To turn round; to revolve.
8. (obsolete) To change the direction of.
9. (obsolete) To mingle; to mix.

Derived terms

• entwine
• intertwine