noun
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a formation of people or things one beside anotherthe line of soldiers advanced with their bayonets fixed
they were arrayed in line of battle
the cast stood in line for the curtain call
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a mark that is long relative to its widthHe drew a line on the chart
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a formation of people or things one behind anotherthe line stretched clear around the corner
you must wait in a long line at the checkout counter
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a length (straight or curved) without breadth or thickness; the trace of a moving point-
text consisting of a row of words written across a page or computer screenthe letter consisted of three short lines
there are six lines in every stanza
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a single frequency (or very narrow band) of radiation in a spectrum-
a fortified position (especially one marking the most forward position of troops)they attacked the enemy's line
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a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the methodical process of logical reasoning (syn: argument, argumentation)I can't follow your line of reasoning
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a conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power (syn: cable)-
a connected series of events or actions or developments (syn: course)historians can only point out those lines for which evidence is available
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a spatial location defined by a real or imaginary unidimensional extent-
a slight depression or fold in the smoothness of a surface (syn: crease, crinkle, furrow, seam, wrinkle)his face has many lines
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a pipe used to transport liquids or gases (syn: pipeline)a pipeline runs from the wells to the seaport
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the road consisting of railroad track and roadbed-
a telephone connection-
acting in conformityin line with
he got out of line
toe the line
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the descendants of one individual (syn: ancestry, blood, bloodline, descent, lineage, origin, parentage, pedigree, stemma, stock)his entire lineage has been warriors
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something (as a cord or rope) that is long and thin and flexiblea washing line
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the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money (syn: business, job, occupation)he's not in my line of business
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in games or sports; a mark indicating positions or bounds of the playing area-
(often plural) a means of communication or access (syn: channel)lines of communication were set up between the two firms
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a particular kind of product or merchandisea nice line of shoes
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a commercial organization serving as a common carrier-
space for one line of print (one column wide and 1/14 inch deep) used to measure advertising-
the maximum credit that a customer is allowed-
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence (syn: air, melody, strain, tune)-
persuasive but insincere talk that is usually intended to deceive or impress'let me show you my etchings' is a rather worn line
he has a smooth line but I didn't fall for it
that salesman must have practiced his fast line of talk
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a short personal letter (syn: billet, note)drop me a line when you get there
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a conceptual separation or distinction (syn: contrast, demarcation)there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity
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mechanical system in a factory whereby an article is conveyed through sites at which successive operations are performed on itverb
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be in line with; form a line along (syn: run along)trees line the riverbank
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cover the interior ofline the gloves
line a chimney
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make a mark or lines on a surface (syn: delineate, describe, draw, trace)draw a line
trace the outline of a figure in the sand
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mark with linessorrow had lined his face
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fill plentifullyline one's pockets
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reinforce with fabriclined books are more enduring
Extra examples
I drew a straight line down the page to separate the two lists.
Cut the paper along the dotted line.
A tennis serve that was over the line
After three hours on the road, they finally crossed the state line.
Their yards were separated by a line of trees.
Everybody had to get in line and wait their turn.
The people were waiting in line.
The round line of the sea was bleared.
Line, the silhouette of a garment that makes it look fashionable or unfashionable.
Drop me a few lines.
The line is bad.
The shop carries the best line of shoes.
Line the pages for the graph both horizontally and vertically.
He had a healthy colour in his cheeks, and his face, though lined, bore few traces of anxiety.
His pale face was lined with melancholy resignation.
Phrasal verbs
Word forms
verb
I/you/we/they: line
he/she/it: lines
present participle: lining
past tense: lined
past participle: lined
noun
singular: line
plural: lines