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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Straw


STRAW, noun [G., Latin See Strew.]

1. The stalk or stem of certain species of grain, pulse, etc. Chiefly of wheat, rye, oats, barley, buckwheat and peas. When used of single stalks, it admits of a plural, straws. Straws may show which way the wind blows. We say of grain while growing, the straw is large, or it is rusty.

2. A mass of the stalks of certain species of grain when cut, and after being thrashed; as a bundle or a load of straw In this sense, the word admits not the plural number.

3. Any thing proverbially worthless. I care not a straw for the play. I will not abate a straw

STRAW, verb transitive To spread or scatter. [See Strew and Strow.]