Reading Theme:
Line Meaning: Examples, Synonyms & Usage Guide (4 meaning)
Meaning 1：long thin mark (line)
line
/laɪn/
n./v.
A long thin mark on a surface, like one drawn with a pencil.
long thin mark
➕
/lɒŋ θɪn mɑːk/
n./v.
A continuous mark made on a surface, typically straight and slender, as drawn by a pen or pencil.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'linea' (linen thread, line), derived from 'linum' (flax).
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a straight clothesline connecting two poles; a line is a continuous mark or queue.
📖 Example
Don't cross the solid `line` on the road while driving, or you might get a ticket.
Don't cross the solid `line` on the road while driving, or you might get a ticket.
🔗 Collocations
dotted line – a line made of small dots, used for signatures or boundaries
straight line – a line that does not curve or bend
draw a line – to produce a line using a writing instrument
🔄 Synonyms
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'line' entered English via Old French 'ligne', tracing back to Latin 'linea' (a flaxen thread, string, line). It has been a core term in geometry, transportation, and writing for centuries.
Meaning 2：queue of people (line)
line
/laɪn/
n./v.
A number of people or things arranged one behind the other, like people waiting.
queue of people
➕
/kjuː əv ˈpiːpl/
n./v.
A number of people or things arranged in a sequential row, especially waiting for something.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
There's always a long `line` outside the popular bakery on Saturday mornings.
There's always a long `line` outside the popular bakery on Saturday mornings.
🔗 Collocations
wait in line – to stand in a queue while waiting for one's turn
stand in line – to occupy a position in a queue
form a line – to create a queue by arranging people one after another
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
Meaning 3：row of text (line)
line
/laɪn/
n./v.
A row of written or printed words on a page or screen.
row of text
➕
/rəʊ əv tekst/
n./v.
A horizontal sequence of written or printed words on a page or screen.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Please write your answer on the third `line` of the form.
Please write your answer on the third `line` of the form.
🔗 Collocations
read between the lines – to understand a hidden meaning in a text
line of poetry – a single row of words forming a unit in a poem
next line – the subsequent row of text in a document
🔄 Synonyms
Meaning 4：transport route (line)
line
/laɪn/
n./v.
A route along which something regularly travels, like a bus or a railway.
transport route
➕
/trænsˈpɔːt ruːt/
n./v.
A designated path or track along which a vehicle, such as a bus, train, or airplane, regularly travels.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The new subway `line` connects the airport directly to the city center.
The new subway `line` connects the airport directly to the city center.
🔗 Collocations
bus line – a regular service route operated by buses
subway line – a specific route of an underground railway system
flight line – the scheduled route of an aircraft
🔄 Synonyms
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