twine

plural twines · alternative twyne

1. countableuncountableA twist; a convolution.

   Not Typhon huge ending in ſnaky twine:

   1629, John Milton, “On the Morning of Christs Nativity”, in Poems of Mr. John Milton, […], London: […] Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Mosely, […], published 1646, →OCLC, page 11

2. countableuncountableA 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.

   The orioles like to build the framework of twine, and it is marvelous how they will loop this around a twig almost as evenly knotted as if crocheted[…]

   1911, Anna Botsford Comstock, Handbook of Nature Study, 24th edition, published 1939, pages 120–121

3. countableuncountableThe act of twining or winding round.

   The Colewort's rankness, but with amorous twine / Clasps the tall Elm

   1708, [John Philips], “Book I”, in Cyder. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 16

4. countableuncountableIntimate and suggestive dance gyrations.

   1965, Wilson Pickett, 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 …

present singular third person twines · participle present twining · participle past twined · past twined · alternative twyne

1. transitiveTo weave together.

   Synonyms: betwine, entwine, intertwine, betwine, braid, entwist, entwine, interlace

2. transitiveTo wind, as one thread around another, or as any flexible substance around another body.

   She was twining her fingers together.

   1931, Dashiell Hammett, chapter 10, in The Glass Key, New York: Vintage, published 1972, page 199

   1 more example

   Let me twine Mine arms about that body […]

   c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene v]

3. transitiveTo wind about; to embrace; to entwine.

   “Let wreaths of triumph now my temples twine,” The victor cried, “the glorious prize is mine! […]”

   1712 May, [Alexander Pope], “The Rape of the Locke. An Heroi-comical Poem.”, in Miscellaneous Poems and Translations. […], London: […] Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC, canto III

4. intransitiveTo mutually twist together; to become mutually involved; to intertwine.

   Usually some old crone was squatted on the earth floor, weaving cedar fibre or tatters of old cloth into a mat, her claw-like fingers twining in and out, in and out, among the strands that were fastened to a crude frame of sticks.

   1941, Emily Carr, chapter 1, in Klee Wyck

5. intransitiveTo wind; to bend; to make turns; to meander.

   As rivers, though they bend and twine, Still to the sea their course incline:

   1713, Jonathan Swift, Cadenus and Vanessa

6. intransitiveTo ascend in spiral lines about a support; to climb spirally.

   Many plants twine.

   1 more example

   A third vine, springing upwards with clinging tendrils, twined about the bushes and trees.

   1918, James George Frazer, Folk-Lore In The Old Testament, volume 1, page 203

7. obsoleteTo turn round; to revolve.

   dancers twine midst cedar-fragrant glades

   1598, George Chapman, Hero and Leander

8. obsoleteTo change the direction of.

   For where he turned his sword, or twined his steed, He slew, or man and beast on earth down laid,

   1600, Torquato Tasso, translated by Edward Fairfax, Jerusalem Delivered, published 1581, Book 20, Stanza 38

9. obsoleteTo mingle; to mix.

   As lumpes of sugar loose themselues, and twine Their subtile essence with the soul of wine.

   1646, Richard Crashaw, M. Crashaw’s Answer for Hope, lines 29–30

present singular third person twines · participle present twining · participle past twined · past twined · alternative twyne

1. alternativeAlternative form of twin (“to separate”).

1. A surname.