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grasp at a straw
Variant of straw
straw
definition
straw (strô)
noun
- hollow stalks or stems of grain after threshing, collectively: used for fodder, for bedding, for making hats, etc.
- a single one of such stalks
- such a stalk or, now esp., a tube of waxed paper, plastic, etc., used for sucking beverages
- something, as a hat, made of straw
- something of little or no value; worthless trifle
- straw man (sense )
- see last straw
Etymology: ME stra < OE streaw, akin to streawian: see strew
adjective
- straw-colored; yellowish
- made of straw
- of little or no value or significance; worthless; meaningless
Related Forms:
- strawy straw′y adjective
straw Idioms
a straw in the wind
an indication of what may happen
grasp (or clutch or catch) at a straw (or straws)
to try any measure, however unlikely, that offers even the least hope
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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