twine

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) A twist; a convolution.
2. (countable, uncountable) 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. (countable, uncountable) The act of twining or winding round.
4. (countable, uncountable) Intimate and suggestive dance gyrations.

Verb

1. (transitive) To weave together.
2. (transitive) To wind, as one thread around another, or as any flexible substance around another body.
3. (transitive) To wind about; to embrace; to entwine.
4. (intransitive) To mutually twist together; to become mutually involved; to intertwine.
5. (intransitive) To wind; to bend; to make turns; to meander.
6. (intransitive) To ascend in spiral lines about a support; to climb spirally.
7. (obsolete) To turn round; to revolve.
8. (obsolete) To change the direction of.
9. (obsolete) To mingle; to mix.

Verb

Alternative form of twin (“to separate”).

Synonyms

string

🪢

braid

twist

plait

cord

wreathe

entwine

wind

rope

🪢

weave

thread

🧵

coil

lace

roll

curl

loop

➿

spiral

intertwine

twirl

line

enlace

distort

cable

interlace

wrap

ribbon

🎀

band

tie

lap

coil around

wind around

convulate

belt

wring

intwine

knot

🪢

knit

bind

interweave

hawser

tether

spin

strand

packthread

entangle

circumvent

enfold

circumnavigate

embrace

dragnet

Translations

vlechten

ficelle

tresser

enrouler

trançar

bramante

spago

plectere

flechten

entrançar

trenar

entrecruzar

schlingen

winden

entrelazar

Pronounced as (IPA)

/twaɪn/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: twyn

Inherited from Old English: twīn

Inherited from Middle English: twinen

Inherited from Old English: *twīnian

Cognate with Dutch: twijnen

Cognate with Danish: tvinde

Cognate with Swedish: tvinna

Cognate with Icelandic: tvinna

In summary

From Middle English twyn, twyne, twin, from Old English twīn (“double thread, twist, twine, linen-thread, linen”), from Proto-West Germanic *twiʀn (“thread, twine”), from Proto-Indo-European *dwisnós (“double”), from *dwóh₁ (“two”).