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line1    Audio Help   [lahyn] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, lined, lin·ing.
–noun
1.a mark or stroke long in proportion to its breadth, made with a pen, pencil, tool, etc., on a surface: a line down the middle of the page.
2.Mathematics. a continuous extent of length, straight or curved, without breadth or thickness; the trace of a moving point.
3.something arranged along a line, esp. a straight line; a row or series: a line of trees.
4.a number of persons standing one behind the other and waiting their turns at or for something; queue.
5.something resembling a traced line, as a band of color, a seam, or a furrow: lines of stratification in rock.
6.a furrow or wrinkle on the face, neck, etc.: lines around the eyes.
7.an indication of demarcation; boundary; limit: the county line; a fine line between right and wrong.
8.a row of written or printed letters, words, etc.: a page of 30 lines.
9.a verse of poetry: A line in iambic pentameter contains five feet.
10.Usually, lines. the words of an actor's part in a drama, musical comedy, etc.: to rehearse one's lines.
11.a short written message: Drop me a line when you're on vacation.
12.a system of public conveyances, as buses or trains, plying regularly over a fixed route: the northbound line at State Street.
13.a transportation or conveyance company: a steamship line.
14.a course of direction; route: the line of march down Main Street.
15.a course of action, procedure, thought, policy, etc.: That newspaper follows the communist line.
16.a piece of pertinent or useful information (usually fol. by on): I've got a line on a good used car.
17.a series of generations of persons, animals, or plants descended from a common ancestor: a line of kings.
18.a department of activity; occupation or business: What line are you in?
19.Informal. a mode of conversation, esp. one that is glib or exaggerated in order to impress or influence another person: He really handed her a line about his rich relatives.
20.a straight line drawn from an observed object to the fovea of the eye.
21.lines,
a.the outer form or proportions of a ship, building, etc.: a ship of fine lines.
b.a general form, as of an event or something that is made, which may be the basis of comparison, imitation, etc.: two books written along the same lines.
c.a person's lot or portion: to endure the hard lines of poverty.
d.Chiefly British. a certificate of marriage.
22.a circle of the terrestrial or celestial sphere: the equinoctial line.
23.banner (def. 7).
24.Fine Arts.
a.a mark made by a pencil, brush, or the like, that defines the contour of a shape, forms hatching, etc.
b.the edge of a shape.
25.Television. one scanning line.
26.Telecommunications.
a.a telephone connection: Please hold the line.
b.a wire circuit connecting two or more pieces of electric apparatus, esp. the wire or wires connecting points or stations in a telegraph or telephone system, or the system itself.
27.the line, Geography. the equator.
28.a stock of commercial goods of the same general class but having a range of styles, sizes, prices, or quality: the company's line of shoes.
29.an assembly line.
30.Law. a limit defining one estate from another; the outline or boundary of a piece of real estate.
31.Bridge. a line on a score sheet that separates points scored toward game (below the line) from points scored by setting a contract, having honors, etc. (above the line).
32.Music. any of the straight, horizontal, parallel strokes of the staff, or one placed above or below the staff.
33.Military.
a.a defensive position or front.
b.a series of fortifications: the Maginot line.
c.Usually, lines. a distribution of troops, sentries, etc., for the defense of a position or for an attack: behind the enemy's lines.
d.the body of personnel constituting the combatant forces of an army, as distinguished from the supply services and staff corps.
34.an arrangement of troops of an army or of ships of a fleet as drawn up for battle: line of battle.
35.a body or formation of troops or ships drawn up abreast (distinguished from column).
36.the class of officers serving with combatant units or warships.
37.the regular forces of an army or navy.
38.that part of an administrative organization consisting of persons actively engaged on a given project. Compare staff1 (def. 4).
39.a thread, string, cord, rope, or the like.
40.a clothesline: the wash hanging on the line.
41.a cord, wire, or the like, used for measuring or as a guide.
42.Nautical.
a.a pipe or hose: a steam line.
b.a rope or cable used at sea.
43.Slang. a small quantity of cocaine arranged in the form of a slender thread or line, as for sniffing.
44.Also, ligne. a unit, 1/40 inch (0.635 millimeter), for measuring the diameter of buttons.
45.Angling. a length of nylon, silk, linen, cord, or the like, to which are attached the leader, hook, sinker, float, etc.
46.Football.
a.either of the two front rows of opposing players lined up opposite each other on the line of scrimmage: a four-man line.
b.line of scrimmage.
47.the betting odds established by bookmakers for events not covered by pari-mutuel betting, esp. sporting events, as football or basketball.
48.Ice Hockey. the two wings and center who make up a team's offensive unit.
49.Fencing. any of the four divisions of the portion of a fencer's body on which a touch can be scored, taken as an area of attack or defense.
50.Textiles. the longer and preferred flax or hemp fibers. Compare tow2 (def. 2).
51.Fox Hunting. the trail of scent left by a fox.
52.a unit of length equivalent to 1/12 inch (2.12 millimeters).
53.Insurance.
a.a class or type of insurance: casualty line.
b.the amount of insurance written for a particular risk.
54.Australian Slang. a girl or woman.
–verb (used without object)
55.to take a position in a line; range (often fol. by up): to line up before the start of a parade.
56.Baseball.
a.to hit a line drive.
b.to line out.
–verb (used with object)
57.to bring into a line, or into line with others (often fol. by up): to line up troops.
58.to mark with a line or lines: to line paper for writing.
59.to sketch verbally or in writing; outline (often fol. by out): We followed the plan he had lined out.
60.to arrange a line along: to line a coast with colonies.
61.to form a line along: Rocks lined the drive.
62.to apply liner to (the eyes).
63.to delineate with or as if with lines; draw: to line the silhouette of a person's head.
64.Archaic. to measure or test with a line.
—Verb phrases
65.line out,
a.Baseball. to be put out by hitting a line drive caught on the fly by a player of the opposing team.
b.to execute or perform: He lined out a few songs upon request.
66.line up, to secure; make available: to line up support; to line up a speaker for the banquet.
—Idioms
67.bring, come, or get into line,
a.to become or cause to become straight, as in a row: The members of the marching band got into line.
b.to conform or cause to conform or agree: They were persuaded to come into line with the party's policy.
68.down the line,
a.in all ways; thoroughly; fully: It's a fine house right down the line—well-built, roomy, attractive.
b.in the future.
69.draw the line, to impose a restriction; limit: They might exaggerate but would draw the line at outright lying.
70.go up in one's lines, Theater. to forget one's part during a performance. Also, British, go up on one's lines.
71.hold the line, to maintain the status quo, esp. in order to forestall unfavorable developments: We're trying to hold the line on prices.
72.in line,
a.in alignment; straight.
b.in conformity or agreement.
c.in control (of one's conduct): to keep one's temper in line.
d.prepared; ready.
e.waiting one behind the other in a queue: There were eight people in line at the teller's window.
73.in line with, in agreement or conformity with: The action taken was in line with her decision.
74.in the line of duty, in the execution of the duties belonging to some occupation, esp. with regard to the responsibility for life and death: a policeman wounded in the line of duty. Also, in line of duty.
75.lay it on the line, Informal.
a.to give money; pay.
b.to give the required information; speak directly or frankly: I'm going to stop being polite and lay it on the line.
76.off line,
a.occurring or functioning away from an assembly line, work process, etc.
b.not in operation; not functioning.
77.on a line, Baseball. (of a batted or thrown ball) through the air in an approximately straight line from the point of impact or delivery: hit on a line between third and short; thrown in on a line from the center fielder.
78.on line,
a.on or part of an assembly line: Production will be improved when the new welding equipment is on line.
b.in or into operation: The manufacturing facilities will be on line before November.
c.Computers. actively linked to a computer: The printer is not yet on line.
d.Chiefly New York City. line1 (def. 72e).
79.on the line, Informal.
a.being risked or put in jeopardy; in a vulnerable position: Our prestige and honor are on the line.
b.immediately; readily: paid cash on the line.
80.out of line,
a.not in a straight line.
b.in disagreement with what is accepted or practiced.
c.Informal. impertinent; presumptuous: That last remark was out of line.
81.read between the lines, to understand the unexpressed but implied meaning of something said or written: Her letter sounded cheerful enough, but I read a certain sadness between the lines.
82.toe the line or mark,
a.to conform strictly to a rule, command, etc.
b.to shoulder responsibilities; do one's duty: He tried hard to toe the line on the new job.
[Origin: bef. 1000; ME li(g)ne cord, rope, stroke, series, guiding rule, partly < OF ligne ≪ L līnea, n. use of fem. of līneus flaxen (orig. applied to string), equiv to līn(um) flax (see line2) + -eus -eous, partly continuing OE līne string, row, series < L, as above]

—Related forms
lin·a·ble, line·a·ble, adjective
lineless, adjective
linelike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
read between the lines

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
read1    Audio Help   [reed] Pronunciation Key verb, read    Audio Help   [red] Pronunciation Key, read·ing    Audio Help   [ree-ding] Pronunciation Key, noun
–verb (used with object)
1.to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.): to read a book; to read music.
2.to utter aloud or render in speech (something written, printed, etc.): reading a story to his children; The actor read his lines in a booming voice.
3.to have such knowledge of (a language) as to be able to understand things written in it: to be able to read French.
4.to apprehend the meaning of (signs, characters, etc.) otherwise than with the eyes, as by means of the fingers: to read Braille.
5.to apprehend or interpret the meaning of (gestures, movements, signals, or the like): to read a semaphore; to read sign language.
6.to make out the significance of by scrutiny or observation: to read the cloudy sky as the threat of a storm; a fisherman skilled in reading a stream for potential pools.
7.to anticipate, expect, or calculate by observation: At the line of scrimmage, the quarterback read a blitz and called an audible.
8.to foresee, foretell, or predict: to read a person's fortune in tea leaves.
9.to make out the character, motivations, desires, etc., of (a person or persons), as by the interpretation of outward signs.
10.to interpret or attribute a meaning to (a written text), a musical composition, etc.): How do you read this clause in the contract?
11.to infer (something not expressed or directly indicated) from what is read, considered, or observed: He read an underlying sarcasm into her letter. In your silence I read agreement to my plan.
12.to adopt or give as a reading in a particular passage: For “one thousand” another version reads “ten thousand.”
13.to substitute or replace (a particular word or phrase) in a written text, usually to correct an error: Read “cavalry” for “calvary.”
14.to check (printers' proofs, copy, etc.) for errors; proofread.
15.to register or indicate, as a thermometer, clock, etc.
16.Computers. to obtain (data, programs, or control information) from an external storage medium or some other source and place in memory.
17.British. to study (a subject), as at a university: to read law.
18.to read the work of (an author): She is reading Kafka.
19.to learn by or as if by reading: to read a person's thoughts.
20.to hear and understand (a transmitted radio message or the person transmitting it); receive: I read you loud and clear.
21.to bring, put, etc., by reading: to read oneself to sleep.
22.to give one (a lecture or lesson) by way of admonition or rebuke.
23.to discover or explain the meaning of (a riddle, dream, etc.).
–verb (used without object)
24.to read or peruse written or printed matter.
25.to utter aloud or render in speech written or printed words that one is perusing: to read to a person.
26.to give a public reading or recital.
27.to inspect and apprehend the meaning of written or other signs or characters.
28.to occupy oneself seriously with reading or study.
29.to obtain knowledge or learn of something by reading.
30.to admit of being read, esp. properly or well.
31.to have a certain wording.
32.to admit of being interpreted: a rule that reads in two different ways.
33.to register or indicate particular information, as the status or condition of something: Her blood pressure is reading a little low today.
34.to have an effect or make an impression; show forth: Those battle photographs read with great impact.
35.Computers. to read data, programs, or control information.
–noun
36.an act or instance of reading: Give the agreement a careful read before you sign it.
37.something that is read: Her new novel is a wonderful read.
—Verb phrases
38.read in, Computers. to place (data, programs, or control information) in memory.
39.read out,
a.to read aloud, as for someone's attention.
b.Computers. to retrieve (information) from a computer.
40.read out of, to oust from membership in (a political party or other group) by a public announcement of dismissal: He was read out of the association because of alleged subversive activities.
41.read up on, to learn about by reading; gather information on; research by reading: You'd better read up on World War I before taking the history test.
—Idioms
42.read between the lines. line1 (def. 81).
43.read for, (of an actor) to audition for (a role, a play, etc.).
44.read lips, to study the lip movements of a speaker who cannot be heard so as to determine the words being uttered.
45.read the green. Golf. green (def. 30).
46.read the riot act. Riot Act (def. 2).
[Origin: bef. 900; ME reden, OE rǣdan to counsel, read; c. D raden, G raten, ON rātha; akin to Skt rādhnoti (he) achieves]

—Synonyms 1. peruse, scan, note, study.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
read    Audio Help   (rēd)  Pronunciation Key 
v.   read (rěd), read·ing, reads

v.   tr.
  1. To examine and grasp the meaning of (written or printed characters, words, or sentences).
  2. To utter or render aloud (written or printed material): read poems to the students.
  3. To have the ability to examine and grasp the meaning of (written or printed material in a given language or notation): reads Chinese; reads music.
    1. To examine and grasp the meaning of (language in a form other than written or printed characters, words, or sentences): reading Braille; reading sign language.
    2. To examine and grasp the meaning of (a graphic representation): reading a map.
    3. To discern and interpret the nature or significance of through close examination or sensitive observation: The tracker read the trail for signs of game.
    4. To discern or anticipate through examination or observation; descry: "I can read abandonment in a broken door or shattered window" (William H. Gass).
    5. To attribute a certain interpretation or meaning to: read her words differently than I did.
    6. To consider (something written or printed) as having a particular meaning or significance: read the novel as a parable.
    1. To discern and interpret the nature or significance of through close examination or sensitive observation: The tracker read the trail for signs of game.
    2. To discern or anticipate through examination or observation; descry: "I can read abandonment in a broken door or shattered window" (William H. Gass).
    3. To attribute a certain interpretation or meaning to: read her words differently than I did.
    4. To consider (something written or printed) as having a particular meaning or significance: read the novel as a parable.
  6. To determine the intent or mood of: can read your mind like a book; a hard person to read.
    1. To attribute a certain interpretation or meaning to: read her words differently than I did.
    2. To consider (something written or printed) as having a particular meaning or significance: read the novel as a parable.
  8. To foretell or predict (the future).
  9. To receive or comprehend (a radio message, for example): I read you loud and clear.
  10. To study or make a study of: read history as an undergraduate.
  11. To learn or get knowledge of from something written or printed: read that interest rates would continue to rise.
  12. To proofread.
  13. To have or use as a preferred reading in a particular passage: For change read charge.
  14. To indicate, register, or show: The dial reads 32°.
  15. Computer Science To obtain (data) from a storage medium, such as a magnetic disk.
  16. Genetics To decode or translate a sequence of messenger RNA into an amino acid sequence in a polypeptide chain.

v.   intr.
  1. To examine and grasp the meaning of printed or written characters, as of words or music.
  2. To speak aloud the words that one is reading: read to the children every night.
  3. To learn by reading: read about the storm in the paper today.
  4. To study.
  5. To have a particular wording: Recite the poem exactly as it reads.
  6. To contain a specific meaning: As the law reads, the defendant is guilty.
  7. To indicate, register, or show a measurement or figure: How does your new watch read?
  8. To have a specified character or quality for the reader: Your poems read well.

n.   Informal
Something that is read: "The book is a page-turner as well as a very satisfying read" (Frank Conroy).

adj.   (rěd)
Informed by reading; learned: only sparsely read in fields outside my profession.

Phrasal Verb(s):
read out
To read aloud: Please read out the names on the list.
read up
To study or learn by reading: Read up on the places you plan to visit before you travel.

Idiom(s):
read a lecture/lesson
To issue a reprimand: My parents read me a lecture because I had neglected my chores.

Idiom(s):
read between the lines
To perceive or detect an obscure or unexpressed meaning: learned to read between the lines of corporate annual reports to discern areas of fiscal weakness.

Idiom(s):
read out of
To expel by proclamation from a social, political, or other group: was read out of the secretariat after the embarrassing incident.

[Middle English reden, from Old English rǣdan, to advise; see ar- in Indo-European roots.]

Word History: English is the one of the few western European languages that does not derive its verb for "to read" from Latin legere. Compare, for example, leggere in Italian, lire in French, and lesen in German. (Equally surprising is the fact that English is the only western European language not to derive its verb for "to write" from Latin scrībere.) Read comes from the Old English verb rǣdan, "to advise, interpret (something difficult), interpret (something written), read." Rǣdan is related to the German verb raten, "to advise" (as in Rathaus, "townhall"). The Old English noun rǣd, "counsel," survives in the rare noun rede, "counsel, advice" and in the name of the unfortunate King Ethelred the Unready, whose epithet is often misunderstood. Unready here does not have its current sense "unprepared"; it is a late 16th-century spelling of an earlier unredy, "ill advised, rash, foolish," from rede.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
read between the lines

verb
read what is implied but not expressed on the surface 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
read between the lines
to understand something (from a piece of writing etc) which is not actually stated
Arabic: يَقْرأ ما بيْنَ السُّطور، يَسْتَنْتِج
Chinese (Simplified): 言外之意
Chinese (Traditional): 言外之意
Czech: číst mezi řádky
Danish: læse mellem linierne
Dutch: tussen de regels lezen
Estonian: ridade vahelt lugema
Finnish: lukea rivien välistä
French: lire entre les lignes
German: zwischen den Zeilen lesen
Greek: αντιλαμβάνομαι τι υπονοεί ένα κείμενο
Hungarian: a sorok között olvas
Icelandic: lesa á milli línanna
Indonesian: memahami yang tersirat
Italian: leggere fra le righe*
Japanese: 言外の意味を読み取る
Latvian: lasīt starp rindām
Lithuanian: skaityti tarp eilučių
Norwegian: lese mellom linjene
Polish: czytać między wierszami
Portuguese (Brazil): ler nas entrelinhas
Portuguese (Portugal): ler nas entrelinhas
Romanian: a citi printre rânduri
Russian: читать между строк
Slovak: čítať medzi riadkami
Slovenian: brati med vrsticami
Spanish: leer entre líneas
Swedish: läsa mellan raderna
Turkish: gizli, *kapalı anlamı sezmek, * anlamak
read between the lines
to look for or find information (eg in a letter) which is not actually stated
Arabic: يَقرأ بين الأسْطُر
Chinese (Simplified): 体会字里行间的言外之意
Chinese (Traditional): 体會字里行間的言外之意
Czech: číst mezi řádky
Danish: læse mellem linierne
Dutch: tussen de regels door lezen
Estonian: ridade vahelt lugema
Finnish: lukea rivien välistä
French: lire entre les lignes
German: zwischen den Zeilen lesen
Greek: μαντεύω τι υπονοεί ένα κείμενο
Hungarian: a sorok között olvas
Icelandic: lesa á milli línanna
Indonesian: menangkap makna tersirat
Italian: leggere fra le righe*
Japanese: 言外の意味をとる
Latvian: lasīt starp rindām
Lithuanian: skaityti tarp eilučių
Norwegian: lese mellom linjene
Polish: czytać między wierszami
Portuguese (Brazil): ler nas entrelinhas
Portuguese (Portugal): ler nas entrelinhas
Romanian: a citi printre rânduri
Russian: читать между строк
Slovak: čítať medzi riadkami
Slovenian: brati med vrsticami
Spanish: leer entre líneas
Swedish: läsa mellan raderna
Turkish: satır aralarını okumak, ne kasdedildiğini anlamak, dilinin altındakini keşfetmek
See also: liner, linesman, hard lines!, in line for, in, out of line with, line, line up, lineage, linear, lined, lines, read-out, readable, reader, readership, reading, reading material, reading matter, read, read off, read on, read out, read over/through, reading-, "read between the lines" in any language

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary, © 2000-2006 K Dictionaries Ltd.
American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
read between the lines

To pay attention to what is implied in writing or in speech.


[Chapter:] Idioms


The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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