cosmic string

Multiple Entries:
  cosmic string    string  

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
cosmic string

▶noun see string (sense 8 of the noun).

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
string/strɪŋ/

▶noun

• 1 material consisting of threads of cotton, hemp, etc. twisted together to form a thin length.

  ■ a piece of such material.

• 2 a length of catgut or wire on a musical instrument, producing a note by vibration.

  ■ (strings) the stringed instruments in an orchestra.

• 3 a piece of catgut, nylon, etc., interwoven with others to form the head of a sports racket.

• 4 a set of things tied or threaded together on a thin cord.

• 5 a sequence of similar items or events.

  ■ Computing a linear sequence of characters, words, or other data.

  ■ a group of racehorses trained at one stable.

  ■ a reserve team or player holding a specified position in an order of preference.

  ■ a player assigned a specified rank in a team in an individual sport.

• 6 a tough piece of fibre in vegetables, meat, or other food.

• 7 a G-string or thong.

• 8 Physics a hypothetical one-dimensional subatomic particle having the dynamical properties of a flexible loop.

  ■ (also cosmic string) a hypothetical thread-like concentration of energy within the structure of space–time.

▶verb (past and past part. strung)

• 1 arrange on or as on a string.

  ■ (be strung or be strung out) be arranged in a long line.

• 2 fit a string or strings to (a musical instrument, a racket, or a bow).

• 3 remove the strings from (a bean).

• 4 N. Amer. informal hoax or trick (someone).

• 5 informal work as a stringer in journalism.

• 6 Billiards determine the order of play by striking the cue ball from baulk to rebound as far as possible from the top cushion.

– phrases
no strings attached informal there are no special conditions or restrictions.
on a string under one's control or influence.

– phrasal verbs
string someone along informal mislead someone deliberately over a length of time.
string something out

• 1 prolong something.

• 2 (be strung out) informal be nervous or tense.

• 3 (be strung out) N. Amer. informal be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

string someone up

• 1 kill someone by hanging.

• 2 (be strung up) Brit. informal be tense or nervous.

– derivatives
stringed adjective,
stringless adjective,
string-like adjective.

– origin OE streng (n.), of Gmc origin; rel. to strong.