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

The sound of his pipe was like singing wasps, and like the wind that sings in windlestraw; and it took hold upon men’s ears like the crying of gulls.

From Project Gutenberg

And now do but contrast this Oliver with my right honourable friend Sir Jabesh Windbag, Mr. Facing-both-ways, Viscount Mealymouth, Earl of Windlestraw, or what other Cagliostro, Cagliostrino, Cagliostraccio, the course of Fortune and Parliamentary Majorities has constitutionally guided to that dignity, any time during these last sorrowful hundred-and-fifty years!

From Project Gutenberg

“Lever it!” cried the gruff voice, “if you have the backbone of a windlestraw, lever!”

From Project Gutenberg

My dear man of moods! my good vagabond! my windlestraw of circumstance! constant only to one ideal—the unattainable perfection in a kind of roguish art.

From Project Gutenberg

Lives the man that can figure a naked Duke of Windlestraw addressing a naked House of Lords?

From Project Gutenberg