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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Strand: Definition, Usage & Real-Life Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：thin piece (strand)

strand 🔊

/strænd/

A single, thin piece or line of something, like one hair, a piece of thread, or a line of sand on a beach.

Strand definition illustrated by a single strand of blond hair held in hand.

thin piece 🔊

➕

/θɪn piːs/

Refers to a single, thin, elongated piece or element of a material, often part of a larger whole like thread, hair, rope, or DNA.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'strand', meaning the shore or edge of the sea.

💡 Mnemonic

Picture a lonely stretch of beach (a strand). A single piece of seaweed washed ashore is one thin strand.

📖 Example

As she walked along the beach, the wind picked up a strand of golden sand and swirled it into the air. 🔊 As she walked along the beach, the wind picked up a thin piece of golden sand and swirled it into the air.

🔗 Collocations

single strand – one individual thin piece

strand of hair – an individual hair

strand of DNA – one of the two helical threads in a DNA molecule

🔄 Synonyms

filament (n.) – A very fine thread or fiber, often used in technical contexts like light bulbs.

fiber (n.) – A thread-like structure, often natural, like in cotton or muscle.

thread (n.) – A long, thin line of cotton, nylon, or other material used in sewing or weaving.

🚫 Antonyms

chunk (n.) – A thick, solid piece of something.

mass (n.) – A large body of matter with no definite shape; a large quantity.

🌱 Derivatives

strand (v.) – To leave someone in a helpless position, e.g., stranded on an island.

stranded (adj.) – Left in a difficult or helpless situation; also describes wires composed of thin threads.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'strand' originates from Old English, specifically referring to the shore or beach. Over time, its meaning extended metaphorically to any long, thin line or element, similar to how a shore is a line separating land and sea. It remains a common term in contexts from DNA research (a strand of DNA) to storytelling.

Meaning 2：plot thread (strand)

strand 🔊

/strænd/

One part or aspect of a complicated story, situation, or idea, like a single story line in a movie or a single thought in a big plan.

plot thread 🔊

➕

/plɒt θred/

Refers to one distinct element, storyline, or aspect within a more complex narrative, argument, or situation.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The novel weaves together three main strands: a love story, a political thriller, and a historical mystery. 🔊 The novel weaves together three main plot threads: a love story, a political thriller, and a historical mystery.

🔗 Collocations

main strand – the primary element or storyline

strand of thought – a particular line of thinking or argument

multiple strands – several interwoven elements or aspects

🔄 Synonyms

thread (n.) – A theme or characteristic running through a situation or piece of writing.

aspect (n.) – A particular part or feature of something.

component (n.) – A part or element of a larger whole.

🚫 Antonyms

whole (n.) – A thing that is complete in itself.

entirety (n.) – The whole of something.