windlestraw

[ win-dl-straw, win-l- ]

noun

, British Dialect.

1. a withered stalk of any of various grasses.
2. any of various long-stalked species of grass.
3. any tall, thin person.
4. any light or flimsy material or object.

windlestraw

/ ˈwɪndəlˌstrɔː /

noun

1. the dried stalk of any of various grasses
2. anything weak or feeble, esp a thin unhealthy person

Word History and Origins

Origin of windlestraw¹

before 1000; Old English windelstrēaw (not attested in ME). See windle, straw

Word History and Origins

Origin of windlestraw¹

Old English windelstrēaw, from windel basket, from windan to wind ² + strēaw straw ¹

Example Sentences

But before I found them I encountered a windlestraw which showed which way blew the wind and gave promise of a very gale.

From Project Gutenberg