stretchn.
/strɛtʃ/, U.S. /strɛtʃ/ 1. The action or an act of stretching physically; the fact of being stretched.† d. upon one's last stretch: in one's death-agony. Obsolete.figurative.1702 J. Vanbrugh False Friend iv. i Sure Villainy and Impudence were never on the Stretch before: This Traytor has wreckt 'em till they Crack.
a. Forcible extension or dilatation; occasionally degree or amount of this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > expansion or enlargement > [noun] > distension > stretching
stretchingc1375
stretch1600
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > [noun] > making long or longer > drawing out to greater length > forcibly or tightly
strainingc1400
extension1526
intention1580
stretch1600
intension1603
distensiona1640
distractionc1720
1600 S. Rowlands Letting of Humors Blood Satyre iii. sig. D6 Or else heele haue it with fiue and a reach, Although it cost his necke the Halter stretch.
1692 J. Ray Wisdom of God (ed. 2) ii. 62 To secure them from disruption; which..they [sc. the bones] would be in some danger of, upon a great and sudden stretch or contortion, if they were dry.
1705 W. Elstob in T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1885) I. 109 He gagg'd him to ye fullest stretch.
1883 S. Chappel Sewing Machine 24 You will find when you want to work the machine that the belt, owing to the continued stretch, is too slack.
1898 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. V. 472 The amount of distension of the ventricle, in other words, the degree of stretch in the muscle fibres.
1907 M. J. P. O'Gorman Motor Pocket Bk. (ed. 2) 598 In adjusting the stretch of side chains by the turn-buckle.., care must be taken to [etc.].
b. Stretching out or extension of the limbs; extent or measure of stretching out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of stretching body > [noun] > specific part of body
fathom1519
stretch1696
outstretching1866
1696 R. Howlett School Recreat. (new ed.) 80 (Fencing) And when you are at your full stretch, keep your Left-hand stretched, and ever observe to keep a close Left-foot, which [etc.].
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis x, in tr. Virgil Wks. 527 Sometimes he thought to swim the stormy Main, By stretch of Arms the distant Shore to gain.
1700 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Ceyx & Alcyone in Fables 379 At all her stretch her little Wings she spread.
1713 H. Felton Diss. Reading Classics 16 What is Excellent is placed out of ordinary Reach, and Your Lordship will easily be persuaded to put forth Your Hand to the utmost Stretch, and reach whatever You aspire at.
1830 A. W. Fonblanque Eng. under Seven Admin. (1837) II. 35 The knight.., lifting his battle-axe to the utmost stretch of his arm, dashed the edge with all his might upon the forehead of the giant.
1854 H. Spencer in Brit. Q. Rev. July 139 Amongst other ancient measures were the orgyia or stretch of the arms, the pace, and the palm.
c. A resting with outstretched limbs. †at full stretch: reclining at full length.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of lying down or reclining > [adverb] > at full length
at full stretch1700
full length1855
the world > action or operation > ceasing > temporary cessation of activity or operation > [noun] > rest > in specific posture
lie-down1840
stretch1856
sit-down1857
lay-down1897
1700 T. Brown Amusem. Serious & Comical iii. 20 He Lolls at full Stretch within, and half a Dozen Brawny Bulk-begotten Footmen behind [his coach].
1856 Chambers's Jrnl. 12 Jan. 27/2 Punter never gets above four hours' sleep in his bed; but he makes up for that deficiency..by a two hours' stretch on the bench in the afternoon.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > dead person or the dead > [adjective] > dying
deadlyc893
swelting?a1400
dyingc1450
at (the) utterance1525
in (the, his) extremes1551
parting1562
Acherontic1597
ending1600
departing1603
on one's last legs1614
expiring1635
mortifying1649
morient1679
upon one's last stretch1680
gasping1681
à la mort1700
moribund1721
outward-bound1809
terminal1854
on the brink of the grave1872
defunctive1929
1680 R. L'Estrange tr. Erasmus 20 Select Colloquies xx. 258 Observing the Woman to Yawn, and just upon her last Stretch, he put [etc.].
e. An act of drawing up the body and extending the arms, indicating weariness or languor.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [noun] > act indicating or expressing
stretch1712
languor1758
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of stretching body > [noun] > indicating weariness or languor
stretchinga1586
stretch1712
the world > action or operation > inaction > disinclination to act or listlessness > [noun] > languor or lassitude > indication or expression of > specific
stretch1712
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 320. ⁋5 Our Salutation at Entrance is a Yawn and a Stretch, and then without more Ceremony we take our Place at the Lolling Table.
1856 C. M. Yonge Daisy Chain i. viii He gave a yawn and a stretch.
f. An act of ‘stretching one's legs’; a walk taken for exercise. (Cf. 6c.)
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > going on foot > [noun] > walking for exercise or recreation > an act of
stretch?1760
rax1790
constitutional1829
leg-stretcher1882
walkies1929
?1760 S. Haliburton Mem. Magopico viii. 25 A good Stretch, in a Morning, over Heath, and Hills, and Ditches,..will make a Man eat a good Breakfast.
1871 W. E. Gladstone Let. 29 Sept. in J. Morley Life Gladstone (1903) II. vi. viii. 378 I have had a twelve-miles stretch to-day, almost all on wild ground.
1887 A. Elliot Old Man's Favour II. ii. vii. 37 ‘Were you detained at the office?’ ‘No; I went for a stretch after.’
g. The condition of being stretched; state of tension. Phrases, on, upon the stretch; to bring to the stretch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > [noun] > making long or longer > drawing out to greater length > forcibly or tightly > condition of being
extensure1594
stretch1674
1674 R. Boyle New Exper. Efficacy Air's Moisture 11, in Tracts Observ. Saltness of Sea I suppos'd, that after a time this unusual stretch of the Rope would cease.
1679 J. Dryden Troilus & Cressida Pref. sig. bv What melody can be made on that Instrument all whose strings are screw'd up at first to their utmost stretch, and to the same sound?
1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. vi. 153 The Blood-Vessels in the Legs are more upon the Stretch.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson i. vi. 66 They..strain the two thongs in contrary directions.., keeping the thongs still upon the stretch.
1753 J. Bartlet Gentleman's Farriery App. 333 E a strap fixed to the pad,..to keep the tail on the stretch at pleasure.
1781 W. Cowper Truth 384 An instrument, whose cords, upon the stretch,..Yield only discord in his Maker's ear.
1786 J. Pearson in Med. Communications 2 97 The ligament was on the stretch.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §274 The chains being introduced and brought to a stretch.
1816 G. Crabb Eng. Synonymes 177 at Breeze The mariner has favourable gales which keep the sails on the stretch.
1827 D. Johnson Sketches Indian Field Sports (ed. 2) 73 The string..is kept at its stretch by means of a stiff piece of stick.
c1860 H. Stuart Novices or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 27 The rigging must be got on a stretch.
h. Capacity for being stretched.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > pliableness > [noun] > elasticity > capability of being stretched
extendibility1477
extension1594
extensibilitya1640
tensibility1676
extensiveness1701
extensibleness1727
distensibility1758
stretch1875
stretchability1940
stretchiness1963
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2415/2 It is called the straining, because the stretch is taken out of it by repeated wettings and stretchings.
1887 Wheeling 6 July 208/1 The leather used for the seats has been subjected to sufficient pressure to take all the stretch out of it.
1894 Times 15 Aug. 11/1 The Vigilant cold not sail owing to the stretch not having been taken out of her new main rigging.
i. Baseball. An action used in pitching (see quots.).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > baseball > [noun] > pitching > actions
wind-up1931
stretch1939
save1959
1939 E. J. Nichols Hist. Dict. Baseball Terminol. 75 Stretch,..a pitcher's straightening of his arms above his head preliminary to delivering the ball.
1951 H. Turkin Official Encycl. Baseball 572 The pitching delivery can be broken down and analyzed to reveal six distinct actions: windup, stretch, leg lift, stride, body pivot and follow through... The stretch brings the pitching arm behind the head.
1976 Webster's Sports Dict. 428/2 Stretch,..a movement a pitcher uses instead of a windup when there are runners on base.
1976 Webster's Sports Dict. 429/1 The stretch, with its integral pause, allows the pitcher to throw to the base to try to pick off the runner or to keep him close to prevent his stealing without interrupting the pitching motion and making a balk.
j. Aeronautics. Modification of an existing aircraft design to increase its capabilities, esp. by lengthening the fuselage; capacity for this allowed for in a design.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > construction and servicing aircraft or spacecraft > [noun] > modifying to increase capabilities
stretch1954
1954 Economist 11 Sept. 2/2 However much ‘stretch’ may have been designed into the two machines—and the evidence suggests it was not too great—these changes in elements outside the designer's control mean modifications..delays.
1960 New Scientist 30 June 1640/1 The modifications involved in stretch are chiefly concerned with stress and control parameters.
1976 Farnborough Internat. Exhib. (Official Programme) 46/2 The Lynx design is capable of considerable ‘stretch’, says Westland.
2. In immaterial sense: A stretching or straining something beyond its proper limits.† a. An act exceeding the scope of one's authority or commission, or the bounds of strict law or justice; a strained or unfair argument or representation; also, an act of ‘stretching a point’, a deviation from one's accustomed rule or principle. Chiefly Scottish. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > outdoing or surpassing > [noun] > going beyond bounds > act of
stretch1541
the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > non-observance or breach > [noun] > particular types of
refusal1482
vow-breaking1533
stretch1541
breach of promise1613
vow-break1646
vow-breach1647
breach of privilege1650
fedifraction1650
breach1841
repudiation1842
stand-up1921
1541 T. Wyatt Declar. in K. Muir Life & Lett. (1963) 184 Yf these be the matters that may bringe me in to suspecte, me semethe..that the credet that an Imbassadorure hathe, or owte to have myghte well dyscharge as great stretches as these.
1689 Earl of Crawford in Leven & Melv. Papers (Bannatyne Club) 319 Mr. Aird, who is represented as a man of great piety, and turned out by a streach.
a1714 G. Lockhart in Lockhart Papers (1817) I. 212 Such a proposal had actually been made; and even supposing it were otherwise, it was not the first time they had made greater stretches with a design that good might come of it.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 420 It was an unheard of stretch, to oblige men to be bound for others in matters of Religion.
1717 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 264 Though it was urged in his defence, that by ‘natural powers’ was meant only such as hearing, reading, going to ordinances,..yet these stretches did not satisfy.
1722 R. Wodrow Hist. Sufferings Church of Scotl. II. 398 Then the Probation is summed up with much Cunning, and many Stretches.
a1732 T. Boston Memoirs (1776) xii. 396 Mr. Gordon returning to Edinburgh,..desired an interview. Whereupon I made a stretch, and went thither.
1766 Ld. Kames Remarkable Decisions Court of Session 1730–52 61 It is therefore a stretch beyond the common law, to support a man's nomination of tutors to his children.
1776 T. Paine Common Sense iv. 75 The unwarrantable stretch, likewise, which that house made in their last sitting, to gain an undue authority over the Delegates of that Province, ought to warn the People at large, how they trust power out of their own hands.
b. More explicitly: An unwarranted exercise of power, prerogative; a straining of the law.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > jurisprudence > [noun] > interpretation of the law > a straining of the law
stretch1689
society > morality > dueness or propriety > moral impropriety > [noun] > condition of being undue or unwarrantable > an unwarranted exercise of power
stretch1689
1689 in Acts Parl. Scotl. (1875) XII. 64/2 The causeing perseu and forfault severall persones upon streitches of old and absolute Lawes.
1693 Apol. Clergy Scotl. 25 A stretch of Arbitrary Power, never heard of in Scotland.
1718 Mem. Life J. Kettlewell ii. xlii. 145 None could be more zealous in putting the King upon the Stretch of his Prerogative.
1757 D. Hume Hist. Great Brit. II. ii. 187 His ministers..could not forbear making very extraordinary stretches of authority.
1759 R. Hurd Moral & Polit. Dialogues (1760) iv. 135 Her [sc. Queen Elizabeth's] parliaments were disposed to wave all disputes about the stretch of her prerogative, from a sense of their own and the common danger.
1766 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. II. v. 69 Neither himself [Chas. I] nor his people seemed able to distinguish between the arbitrary stretch, and the legal exertion, of prerogative.
1771 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. IV. 14 These stretches of power naturally led the lords and commons into some degree of opposition.
1805 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. V. 426 The determination of the judges.., so far from being considered as an unwarrantable stretch of their authority, must on the contrary be acknowledged to have been a measure of great public utility.
1849 H. Martineau Introd. Hist. Peace (1877) III. iv. xii. 95 Public sympathy was with them, as with men punished by a stretch of law for a nominal offence.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People viii. §5. 510 As daring a stretch of the prerogative superseded what was known as Knox's Liturgy.
c. An exaggerated statement. on the stretch (nonce-phrase): using exaggeration, ‘drawing the long bow’.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > exaggeration, hyperbole > [noun] > action of exaggerating > instance of
overreacher1589
reacher1613
overtruth1638
stretcher1674
stretch1711
high-flyer1776
windy1933
1711 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 1 Jan. (1948) I. 147 That's a damn'd lie of your chimney being carried to the next house with the wind... My lord Hertford would have been ashamed of such a stretch.
1783 H. Cowley Which is the Man? iv ii Hyperbole! What's that? Why, that's as much as to say, a stretch.
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple II. xii. 190 It a'n't that I might not stretch now and then..but..he's always on the stretch... He never tells the truth except by mistake.
d. An exercise of imagination, understanding, etc. beyond ordinary limits. Now frequently in by any (or no) stretch of the imagination.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > [noun] > act of imagining > beyond normal
stretch1781
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > mental image, idea, or fancy > [adverb] > beyond limits
by any (or no) stretch of the imagination1942
1781 F. Burney Early Jrnls. & Lett. (2003) IV. 395 [His] supposed enmity to Merlin is indeed a stretch of that Absurd Creature's imagination.
1803 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 9 26 It requires no great stretch of understanding to know that the same practice will not answer in all climates.
1828 E. Bulwer-Lytton Pelham III. vi. 99 Every day the ministers are filling up the minor places, and it requires a great stretch of recollection in a politician, to remember the absent.
1839 J. Martineau Stud. Christianity (1858) 111 But this was a stretch of charity too great for any Hebrew.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge i. 230 Indeed it needed no very great stretch of fancy to detect in it other resemblances to humanity.
1862 Sporting Mag. Nov. 329 It required no great stretch of intellect to acquit the officers honourably on the evidence.
1942 T. Bailey Pink Camellia xv. 122 Peter could not, by any stretch of the imagination, be compared to that Satan of the Scriptures who came so inopportunely to the Garden.
1957 Pract. Wireless 33 573/2 Most neutral leads..have registered between 5 and 25 volts R.M.S., voltages which cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be called lethal.
1977 A. Ecclestone Staircase for Silence iv. 77 The church they belong to seems hopelessly stuck fast in a way of life that by no stretch of the imagination can be described in terms of leaven or salt or light.
e. An undue extension of scope or application. stretch of language: the use of words or expressions with undue latitude of meaning.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > misinterpretation > distortion or perversion of meaning > [noun]
wrestingc1444
pervertinga1450
corruptiona1513
straining1528
writhing?1532
hacking1539
violence1546
racking1556
wrying1562
wringing1565
detorting1579
wrest1581
detortion1598
wrench1603
torture1605
distorting1610
violencing1612
refraction1614
misacception1629
distortion1650
distorture1709
misacceptation1721
torturing1753
verbicide1826
stretch1849
twisting1890
queeringness1955
1849 G. Grote Hist. Greece V. ii. xxxix. 82 This bold stretch of exegetical conjecture.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. App. 431 With reference to this hypothesis, I will only say that it is a bold stretch of analogies.
1875 W. K. Clifford Lect. (1879) I. 229 It is only by a stretch of language that we can be said to desire that which is inconceivable.
1905 R. Broughton Waif's Progress xiv. 164 It could not, by any stretch of language, be considered a good thing for any young woman to be taken under the..wing of Lady Tennington.
3. † b. Utmost degree, acme. Obsolete.
a. furthest, utmost stretch: the utmost degree to which a thing can be extended. Now rare or Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [noun] > quality or fact of being extreme > highest, utmost, or extreme degree
heightOE
perfectiona1398
utterestc1410
uttermosta1425
tiptoec1440
pinnaclec1450
utmost1472
outmostc1535
extremity1543
abyss1548
top1552
furthest, utmost stretch1558
summa summarum1567
superlative1573
strain1576
extreme1595
fine1596
last1602
yondmost1608
super-superlative1623
pitch1624
utmostness1674
pink1720
supreme1817
ultima Thule1828
peak1902
1558 in A. Feuillerat Documents Office of Revels Queen Elizabeth (1908) Table I For castinge and ymployeinge of the stuffe to the furdeste stretche of sarvice.
1687 F. Atterbury Answer Considerations Spirit Luther 45 Quotations..which, in their utmost stretch, can signify no more then that Luther lay under severe agonies of mind.
1712 G. Granville Ess. Unnat. Flights Poetry 65 This is the utmost Stretch that Nature can, And all beyond is fulsome, false, and vain.
1713 Guardian 29 Aug. 1/2 He did not exceed, but went to the utmost stretch of his Income.
1715 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad I. Pref. The utmost Stretch of human Study, Learning, and Industry,..can never attain to this.
1740 S. Richardson Pamela II. 298 She shall know it all, said he; and I defy the utmost Stretch of your Malice.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > [noun] > state of or advanced condition > highest point
prickOE
heighta1050
full1340
higha1398
pointc1400
roofa1500
top-castle1548
ruff1549
acmea1568
tip1567
noontide1578
high tide1579
superlative1583
summity1588
spring tide1593
meridian1594
period1595
apogee1600
punctilio1601
high-water mark1602
noon1609
zenith1610
auge1611
apex1624
culmination1633
cumble1640
culmen1646
climax1647
topc1650
cumulus1659
summit1661
perigeum1670
highest1688
consummation1698
stretch1741
high point1787
perihelion1804
summary1831
comble1832
heading up1857
climacteric1870
flashpoint1878
tip-end1885
peak1902
noontime1903
Omega point1981
1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. xxx. 182 [It] was the very Stretch of shameless Wickedness.
4. Strain or tension of mental or bodily powers; strained exertion. (Figurative use of 1g.) Chiefly in phrases.† a. on the stretch, on her stretches (said of a hawk): making a long swooping flight. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > order Falconiformes (falcons, etc.) > family Accipitridae (hawks, etc.) > [phrase] > actions of hawk
on the stretcha1640
a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Prophetesse iv. iv, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Eeee4v/2 And scatter 'em, as an high towring Falcon on her Stretches, severs the fearfull fowl.
a1640 P. Massinger Bashful Lover iii. ii. 11 in 3 New Playes (1655) See with what winged speed they climb the hill Like Falcons on the stretch to seise the prey.
b. †at the full stretch (obsolete), upon full stretch, on the stretch: with strain of the physical powers; chiefly, making full speed.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swiftly [phrase] > at full speed
full speed1382
with topsailc1400
at spursa1500
on (also upon) the (spurs or) spur1525
amain1555
a main pace (also speed)1567
full tilt?a1600
upon full stretch1697
at full tilt1713
at (also on) full speed1749
(at) full split1836
full chisel1837
(at) full pelt1841
full swing1843
ventre à terre1848
full out1886
at full lick1889
hell-for-leather1889
all out1895
eyes out1895
flat out1932
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [phrase] > with strain of physical powers
upon full stretch1697
at (full, utmost) strain1851
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis v, in tr. Virgil Wks. 335 They row At the full stretch, and shake the Brazen Prow.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 56. ¶3 He saw the Apparition of a milke-white Steed, with a young Man on the Back of it, advancing upon full Stretch after the Souls of about an hundred Beagles.
1768 J. Byron Narr. Patagonia 221 While their horse is upon full stretch.
1797 S. James Narr. Voy. 175 To return to our own ship. We were now on the stretch for Europe.
1839 Laws of Coursing in Youatt's Dog (1845) App. 262 She [a hare] turns of her own accord to gain ground homeward, when both dogs are on the stretch after her.
1893 R. L. Stevenson Catriona xvi. 184 About fifty seconds after two I was in the saddle and on the full stretch for Stirling.
c. on the (†full) stretch: in a state of mental strain, making intense effort; so to put, set upon the (full) stretch. Now chiefly at full stretch: to capacity; working fully or as hard as possible.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > acting vigorously or energetically [phrase] > with great vigour or energy > with utmost vigour
full tilt?a1600
all out1840
full out1886
full vent1927
flat out1932
at full stretch1934
balls-out1959
1683 J. Dryden Life Plutarch 24 in J. Dryden et al. tr. Plutarch Lives I His memory was always on the stretch, to receive..their discourses.
1691 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. 140 We cannot live always upon the Stretch; our Faculties will not bear constant Pleasure any more than constant Pain.
1692 F. Atterbury Serm. Whitehall 20 The Praise and Admiration of God..sets our Faculties upon their full Stretch.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 38. ⁋1 You might see his Imagination on the Stretch to find out something uncommon.
1723 D. Defoe Hist. Col. Jack (ed. 2) 377 This set all..Heads upon the Stretch, to enquire.
1771 J. Wesley Wks. (1872) V. 272 He is on the full Stretch to save their Souls.
a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iii. 140 Craft and cozenage..put our faculties to the stretch, and lay the foundation of Prudence.
1778 J. Reynolds Disc. Royal Acad. (1876) viii. 443 The writers of every age and country, where taste has begun to decline,..are always on the stretch; never deviate..a moment from the pompous and the brilliant.
1796 Ann. Reg., Hist. 108 His thoughts were uninterruptedly on the stretch.
1863 A. P. Stanley Lect. Jewish Church I. xiv. 323 The inmates of Sisera's harem..are on the stretch of expectation for the sight of..their champion.
1866 A. Halliday Mugby Junction v, in All Year Round Extra Christmas No., 10 Dec. 26/2 Me and my stoker were on the stretch all the time, doing two things at once—attending to the engine and looking out.
1884 H. A. Taine in Contemp. Rev. Oct. 521 His business keeps his mind on the stretch.
1934 G. B. Shaw On the Rocks (new ed.) i, in Too True to be Good 221 I am an overworked..man,..having to keep my mind at full stretch all the time struggling with problems.
1955 Times 1 June 10/1 United States tire manufacturers are still working at full stretch.
1977 Evening Post (Nottingham) 27 Jan. 4/5 Wilford power station, Nottingham, has been at full stretch to meet heavy demand.
d. Exhausting effort or strain of mind. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > [noun] > that which wearies or exhausts
stretch1791
overexertion1795
overwork1796
breather1802
trachle1823
winder1825
burster1851
1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson I. Advt. p. ix The stretch of mind and prompt assiduity by which so many conversations were preserved.
1814 J. Austen Mansfield Park I. ix. 182 The greater length of the service, however, I admit to be sometimes too hard a stretch upon the mind. View more context for this quotation
a1817 J. Austen Persuasion (1818) IV. viii. 148 The horror and distress you were involved in—the stretch of mind, the wear of spirits. View more context for this quotation
1859 A. K. H. Boyd Recreat. Country Parson iii. 117 Mental work is much the greater stretch; and it is strain, not time, that kills.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > not restrain [verb (transitive)]
slidec1386
to give a person rope (also enough rope, etc.)a1475
to give (the) rein(s) (to)1484
to let go1526
to give (a horse) his (also her, its, etc.) head1571
license1605
to give linea1616
unchecka1616
to give a loose (occasionally give loose) to1685
to give stretch to1777
to let rip1857
1777 Burgoyne Proclam. in Gentleman's Mag. 47 360/2 I have but to give stretch to the Indian forces under my direction,..to overtake the hardened enemies of Great-Britain.
6. Extent in time or space.
a. An unbroken continuance of some one employment, occupation, or condition, during a period of time; an uninterrupted ‘spell’ of work, rest, prosperity, etc. Chiefly in phrase at one or a stretch, upon or on a stretch, rarely at the stretch: without intermission, continuously (during the time specified or implied); [compare German in einer strecke] .
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > [noun] > stretch, period, or portion of time > period of certain character, condition, or events
dayOE
dayOE
summer day1563
tempestivity1569
set1633
stretch1689
period1712
run1714
tack1723
spell1827
dreamtime1844
time coursea1867
patch1897
dreaming1932
quality time1972
the world > action or operation > continuing > [noun] > an unbroken continuance of action
stretch1689
the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > lasting quality, permanence > [adverb] > without cessation
fastlyOE
without ceasec1330
without ceasinga1340
unceasinglyc1340
incessably1398
dreichlyc1400
restlessc1400
perpetuallyc1475
incessantly1481
uncessantlya1500
incessant1558
ceaselessly?1606
indesinently1651
jugially1654
unintermissively1656
upon or on a stretch1689
at one or a stretch1774
unabatingly1793
at the stretch1867
never-ceasingly1869
1689 London Gaz. No. 2451/3 So [we] continued Battering upon a Strech till five in the Afternoon.
1693 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. III. 193 God will then proceed to the highest actuation of the Soul..so that her whole Life shall be but one constant Stretch of Thought.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth III. 163 They will trot..between fifty and sixty English miles, at one stretch.
1799 J. King in Corr. W. Fowler (1907) 32 We are much in at Sunderland. We are eight nights in upon a stretch, out of twenty one.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian viii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. I. 222 The halt's gane now, unless he has to walk ower mony miles at a stretch.
1825 C. Waterton Wanderings in S. Amer. i. 2 Sometimes you see level ground on each side of you, for two or three hours at a stretch.
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple I. vii. 80 He can snore for fourteen hours on a stretch.
1841 W. M. Thackeray Great Hoggarty Diamond i We always played seven hours on a stretch.
1851 T. B. Macaulay Let. Aug. in G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) II. xi. 211 I read the last five books at a stretch.
1857 A. Trollope Barchester Towers xiii I saw her talking to him for half an hour at the stretch.
1867 ‘Ouida’ Cecil Castlemaine's Gage 8 His rider..had been in boot and saddle twenty-four hours at the stretch.
1885 Law Times 79 206/1 He was unable..to walk more than five miles at a stretch.
1887 A. Jessopp Arcady vii. 214 He..gave us..accounts of the number of hours he had kept on working at a stretch.
1900 Law Rep.: Appeal Cases 405 The net remains fixed for periods as long as six hours at a stretch.
b. An extent in duration; a (more or less long) period of time.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > [noun] > stretch, period, or portion of time
tidea900
while971
fristOE
stemOE
throwOE
timeOE
selea1250
piecec1300
termc1300
stagea1325
whilesc1330
space?a1400
racec1400
spacec1405
termine1420
parodya1425
timea1425
continuancec1440
thrallc1450
espace1483
space of timec1500
tracta1513
stead1596
reach1654
amidst1664
stretch1698
spell1728
track1835
lifetime1875
time slice1938
1698 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. IV. 367 Could I then lengthen out my Span to an Antediluvian stretch, what should I be the better.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iv. xiv. 277 If you..had been fretted out of..your mind, for a stretch of months together.
1892 E. Reeves Homeward Bound 102 We now have a stretch of eleven days before us, in which..we shall cross the Equator..and reach a new world at Colombo.
1905 F. Treves Other Side of Lantern (1906) ii. xvii. 118 To be still unforgotten after a stretch of years.
c. A continuous journey or march. Now colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun] > non-stop
stretch1699
jornada1828
non-stop1909
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 441 To go from Syracuse to Alexandria and back again in a Morning, and on foot too over the Sea, is a stretch something extraordinary.
1715 J. Addison Freeholder No. 3. ⁋2 Upon this alarm we made incredible stretches towards the South, to gain the Fastnesses of Preston.
1819 W. Scott Legend of Montrose x, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. IV. 218 I made a stretch of four miles with six of my people in the direction of Inverlochy.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. i. 42 ‘A long way, wasn't it, Kit?’ said the little old man. ‘Why then, it was a goodish stretch, master,’ returned Kit.
d. Nautical. A continuous sail on one tack.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of wind > [noun] > continuous sail on one tack
stretch1675
reach1830
leg1846
1675 H. Teonge Diary (1825) 42 All the last night wee were becalmed, but this morning a fayre gale, which carrys us smoothly over this longe stretch.
1688 Bp. G. Burnet Exped. Prince of Orange 2 Next day, upon Tide of Ebb, they made a Stretch and made a Watch above a League, and then stood Westward.
1823 W. Scoresby Jrnl. Voy. Northern Whale-fishery 131 In the evening, we made a stretch toward the land.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xxxvi. 445 Two long stretches..brought us into the roads.
1845 J. Coulter Adventures Pacific iv. 31 Having made a stretch off the coast about forty miles, we had a fine view of the tops of the Andes, covered with snow.
1883 W. C. Russell Sailors' Lang. (at cited word) A long stretch is to sail a long distance on one tack.
e. Extent in length; a continuous length or distance; a continuous portion of a journey, of the length of a road, river, or the like.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > [noun] > that which has length > a long or continuous extent of something
range1601
swath?1606
length1609
swartha1616
stretch1661
ringe1706
span1894
1661 E. Hickeringill Jamaica 36 Some of them (I have seen) six or seven yards long, but their usual stretch, may bate the half.
1791 ‘T. Newte’ Prospects & Observ. Tour 294 The canal is carried on in almost a straight line for 2000 toises, all cut through a rock, which occasioned so great an expence, that in this stretch of the canal, they found themselves obliged to restrict the breadth of the upper surface of the water to five toises.
1791 ‘T. Newte’ Prospects & Observ. Tour 297 This arch was thrown over in three stretches, having only a centre of thirty feet, which was shifted on small rollers from one stretch to another.
1872 ‘M. Twain’ Roughing It xviii. 142 It was nothing but a watering depot in the midst of the stretch of sixty-eight miles.
1876 T. Hardy Hand of Ethelberta II. xxxi. 29 There was, as the crow flies, a stretch of thirty-five miles between the two places.
1885 B. Harte Maruja iii. 48 Dead leaves of roses..lay thick on the empty stretch of brown verandah.
1908 G. Cormack Egypt in Asia ii. 18 This range [Lebanon] has an unbroken stretch of a hundred miles.
f. An expanse of land or water (usually, of uniform character).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > [noun] > spreading out > an expanse of something
spacea1382
widenessa1382
continuance1398
field1547
sheet1593
universe1598
main1609
reach1610
expansion1611
extent1627
champaign1656
fetch1662
mass1662
expanse1667
spread1712
run1719
width1733
acre1759
sweep1767
contiguity1785
extension1786
stretch1829
breadths1839
outspread1847
outstretch1858
1829 W. Scott Anne of Geierstein II. iii. 77 You will see a species of thicket, or stretch of low bushes.
1850 D. G. Mitchell Reveries of Bachelor 151 I see a broad stretch of meadow.
1851 J. G. Whittier In Peace 9 A slumberous stretch of mountain-land.
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule i. 3 He may have recalled mechanically the names of these stretches of water.
1885 Manch. Examiner 16 June 4/6 To dwell at Windsor, with its wide stretches of park and woodland and river.
1898 ‘H. S. Merriman’ Roden's Corner xxxii. 337 The wide stretch of sand was entirely deserted when they emerged from the narrow streets.
1912 J. L. Myres Dawn of Hist. ix. 203 Macedon and Thrace, which also offer some stretches of pasture.
g. Linguistics. A definable extent (of text or speech).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > other schools of linguistics > [noun] > text or discourse analysis > unit of text or discourse
text1935
discourse1951
stretch1961
1961 M. A. K. Halliday in Word 17 250 Language is patterned activity. At the formal level, the patterns are patterns of meaningful organization: certain regularities are exhibited over certain stretches of language activity.
1964 Eng. Stud. 45 (Suppl.). 56 It certainly seems worth while trying to bring more system into stretch-of-speech analysis in general by studying the potentialities and realities of absence of sound, sound zero.
1967 D. G. Hays Introd. Computational Linguistics x. 171 As the text is being prepared, each stretch between unit boundaries is compared with the contents of the exclusion list.
1972 J. McH. Sinclair Course in Spoken Eng.: Grammar 3 Strict grammatical relationships need only be made across stretches of language a few words long.
1973 A. H. Sommerstein Sound Pattern Anc. Greek i. 1 The final chapter..contains a summary..of the rules of the part of Greek phonology that I have investigated, a stretch of text written in the form it would have before the application of these rules, [etc.].
7. slang.
a. A yard (measure).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement of length > [noun] > units of length or distance > yard
yard1377
stoke1538
yardel1804
stretch1811
1811 Lexicon Balatronicum
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. (at cited word) Five or ten stretch signifies five or ten yards.
b. A term of hard labour; twelve months as a term of imprisonment. Also loosely, a prison sentence (frequently with preceding numeral signifying the number of years). Also transferred.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > [noun] > sentence or term of
time1790
lagging1819
stretch1821
model1845
birdlime1857
penal1864
prison sentence1867
rap1870
bit1871
spot1895
hard time1896
sleep1911
jolt1912
bird1924
fall1926
beef1928
trick1933
porridge1950
custodial sentence1951
society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > [noun] > with hard labour > term of
stretch1821
society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > [noun] > sentence or term of > specific term of (month(s))
stretch1821
moon1830
sices1844
sixer1849
drag1851
carpet1917
carpet-bag1938
pontoon1948
1821 Life D. Haggart (ed. 2) 138 I was then sentenced to lag for seven stretch.
1857 ‘Ducange Anglicus’ Vulgar Tongue 21 Stretch, hard labour, in prison. Th[ieves]. Stretch, twelve months hard labour. Th.
1888 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Robbery under Arms iv There's a lot of law! How did I learn it? I had plenty of time in Berrima Gaol—worse luck—my first stretch.
1949 ‘M. Innes’ Journeying Boy ix. 109 If we were getting him a stretch, we could go to bed feeling we had done something useful.
1951 P. Branch Lion in Cellar xx. 222 He's in Joe Gurr again. He got nicked in Cardiff on a snout gaff... It's only a two stretch and a lot of the Boys had their collars felt.
1957 G. Thomas Gazooka 42 I owed it to him now to see that he would not be saddled with another stretch under the probation officer or in a reform school for an offence which was not..immoral.
1960 S. Claydon Lesson in Murder v. 75 I was going to serve my stretch, come out, and get a job.
1967 J. Morgan Involved 40 What do you think he'll get for this lot, guv'nor, ten? I suppose a ten stretch is the least he can expect.
1976 K. Bonfiglioli Something Nasty in Woodshed ix. 106 ‘Porridge’..means penal servitude. There is a legend..that if..on the last morning of your ‘stretch’, you do not eat up all your nice porridge, you will be back in durance vile within the year.
8. Chiefly U.S.
a. Horse Racing. (See quot. 1895.) Also attributive (esp. = ‘home-stretch’) as stretch run, stretch turn.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > [noun] > course or track > parts of
run-in1799
quarter-stretch1830
home run1833
hurdle1833
back stretch1839
home stretch1841
straight1846
last lap1848
straightaway1878
home straight1880
stretch1895
back-straight1905
the wall1974
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > racecourse > [noun] > parts of
rail1830
stretch1895
outer1915
infield1923
1895 G. J. Manson Sporting Dict. Stretch, the straight or nearly straight sides of a course as distinguished from the curves or bends.
1903 Public Ledger (Philadelphia) 24 June 13/9 Mexoana..took command in the stretch and won by two lengths from the favorite.
1934 D. Runyon in Collier's 3 Mar. 42/3 Gallant Godfrey comes to the conclusion that Westrope is working on him in a stretch run.
1944 Sun (Baltimore) 14 Apr. 14/1 Backers of Sollure had no worries all through the stretch run.
1949 Time 10 Oct. 42/2 They had less reason to thank their own bats than the batty stretch-run performance of the Cardinals.
1972 N.Y. Times 4 June v. 1/4 Shortly after the field hit the stretch turn, Run the Gantlet moved into the lead position.
1978 Detroit Free Press 2 Apr. 2 e/1 Craig's Corner, a 7-year-old gelding, won the Carolina Cup steeplechase at Camden, S.C., with a strong stretch run before a race record crowd of 30,000-plus.
1979 Internat. Herald Tribune 31 Oct. 23/3 It would be the clubhouse turn in the United States, but this was the Vaal Racing Club in the Orange Free State of South Africa, where the horses run clockwise, so it was really the stretch turn.
b. home-stretch: see home stretch n. back stretch = back-straight n. at back- comb. form 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > [noun] > course or track > parts of
run-in1799
quarter-stretch1830
home run1833
hurdle1833
back stretch1839
home stretch1841
straight1846
last lap1848
straightaway1878
home straight1880
stretch1895
back-straight1905
the wall1974
1839 Daily Picayune (New Orleans) 2 Apr. 2/2 He went to work himself, soon passed the old black, made all sorts of a brush while rounding the last turn and commencing the back stretch.
1868 H. Woodruff & C. J. Foster Trotting Horse Amer. xii. 122 On the back-stretch..Mr. Duffy asked me if I could ride it out without tiring.
1903 A. Adams Log of Cowboy xv. 237 He was speeding her on the back stretch.
1931 Daily Express 21 Sept. 11/5 Box stalls were built around the walls, while in other parts of the ballroom were reproduced in miniature the back stretch and the home stretch of the track.
1933 Boys' Mag. 47 119/2 He shot by a little group of runners, and in the backstretch was hard upon the heels of the four leaders.
1948 Life 21 June 32 (caption) Dewey, Taft and Stassen will get away fast, but watch out for Dark Horse Vandenberg on the backstretch.
1970 Toronto Daily Star 24 Sept. 21/4 The jock had to check her twice on the backstretch.
c. transferred and figurative.
ΚΠ
1949 Sun (Baltimore) 9 Aug. 14/3 Baseball's 1949 stretch is now only a few furlongs away. Oddly enough, conditions in the two leagues have been somewhat reversed since last April.
1957 Baseball Digest Jan.–Feb. 15 Despite Joss' great work in the stretch, the season ended with the Indians in second place.
1972 Publishers Weekly 12 June 9 (advt.) Put your money on Miss Elizabeth Arden to win in the stretch.
1976 Billings (Montana) Gaz. 20 June 1 e/3 Friday when he led the second round by one shot, Mahaffey expressed disappointment that shoddy putting down the stretch prevented him from running away from the field.
1976 National Observer (U.S.) 6 Nov. 5/1 Ford, at the very last, was doing something right. Most of the polls showed he was closing fast on Jimmy Carter, who was limping badly down the stretch.
9. Mining and Geology. Course or direction of a seam or a stratum with regard to the points of the compass: = streak n.1 5, strike n.1 8.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > structural features > sedimentary formation > [noun] > stratum > position or direction of strata
streak1672
stretch1799
strike1829
stroke1877
the world > the earth > minerals > mineral deposits > [noun] > stratum or bed > of coal > horizontal course
streak1672
stretch1799
1799 R. Kirwan Geol. Ess. 294 The stretch or course of seams of coal, and of their attendant strata, is commonly between E. and W. or N.E. and S.W.
1805 Jameson Min. Descr. Dumfries 37 If we wish to discover the general stretch and dip of the strata of an extensive district.
10. Spinning. The length of spun yarn which is wound on the spindles at each journey of the mule-carriage towards the roller-beam: = draw n. 6.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > thread or yarn > [noun] > spun > length of
stretch1835
draw1838
1835 A. Ure Philos. Manuf. 312 The mule..makes in general three stretches in a minute.
1891 R. Marsden Cotton Spinning (ed. 4) 197 This wheel is an intermittent spinning wheel, spinning a ‘draw’ or ‘stretch’, so called, probably, from its being the length obtainable by the outstretching of the spinster's arm.
Draft additions 1993
Short for stretch jet, stretch limousine at stretch v. Additions. colloquial (originally and chiefly U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > [noun] > with jet engine(s) > types of
superjet1945
twin-jet1946
fan-jet1963
jumbo jet1964
jump jet1964
jumbo1966
super-jumbo1968
tri-jet1968
stretch plane1971
stretch1973
wide-body1979
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > motor car > [noun] > with separate compartment for driver > stretched
stretch limo1971
stretch1973
1973 Lebende Sprachen 18 71/2 The first ‘stretch’, which produced the 500 Series as a successor to the original 200/400 Series, took the capacity up from 74 to 109.
1977 N.Y. Times Mag. 19 June 70/3 This big Mercedes stretch pulls up with them sittin' in the back wavin' at me.
1978 Aviation Week & Space Technol. 23 Oct. 43/1 Boeing planners see a stretch emerging in the latter half of the 1980s.
1981 Aviation Week & Space Technol. 15 June 36/1 The 767 stretch, which Boeing originally had considered for 1985, has been moved back to at least 1986, again because of demand.
1982 N.Y. Times 31 Dec. c6/5 There are basically four kinds of limos for rent. There is the ‘stretch’, which seats six comfortably and usually contains such luxury items as a bar, an ice bucket, a stereo and television console.
1987 Flight Internat. 27 June 4/3 If we co-operated on an A320 stretch we would do some of the design and build and, perhaps, final assembly.
1988 P. Monette Borrowed Time iv. 95 A line of six limousines turned in at Le Mondrian, Prince and his entourage in the lead in a purple stretch.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
stretchv.
/strɛtʃ/, U.S. /strɛtʃ/ I. To place at full length.
1. † c. To spread out on the ground; to make (a bed). Obsolete.† d. long streight, straught: extended at length.† e. intransitive for reflexive. To fall to the ground; also, to lie down at full length. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To prostrate (oneself, one's body); to extend (one's limbs) in a reclining posture; reflexive to recline at full length. Also with †along, †down (obsolete), out. Phrase, to stretch one's length.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > stretch out
stretchc900
astretchc1000
i-stretchec1000
thinc1000
to-tightc1200
reacha1300
spreada1382
extendc1386
to lay outa1400
streeka1400
outstretcha1425
rekea1425
stentc1430
outreach?1440
inch out1878
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of lying down or reclining > lie down or recline [verb (transitive)]
stretchc900
recline?a1425
recline1615
c900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. iv. xxi He..hine wæs in gebed streccende [L. prosternens se] æt lichoman þæs Godes weres.
c1200 Vices & Virtues 63 Þat he lið istreiht upe ðare bare ierðe.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12973 He..adun lai bi þan fure & his leomen strahte.
c1325 Chron. Eng. 756 in J. Ritson Anc. Eng. Metrical Romanceës (1802) II So schert he [the stone coffin] was ywroht, Istraht ne myhte he ligge noht.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) cciv. 300 They fylle doun flat and stratched in the chirches they kyssed..therthe.
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Fox, Wolf, & Cadger l. 2050 in Poems (1981) 79 He..straucht him doun in middis off the way; As he wer deid he feinȝeit him.
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer ii. f. cccl And these wordes sayde, she streyght her on length and rested a whyle.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 (2nd issue) iii. i. 10 Why rather sleepe liest thou in smoaky cribbes, Vpon vneasie pallets stretching thee. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. ii. 235 There lay hee stretch'd along like a Wounded knight. View more context for this quotation
c1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1644 (1955) II. 236 A Conceited Chayre to sleepe in with the Leggs stretch'd out with hooks & pieces of wood to draw out longer & shorter.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 1 Stretch'd at Ease you sing your happy loves.
1751 T. Gray Elegy xxvi. 10 There at the foot of yonder nodding beech..His listless length at noontide wou'd he stretch.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. ix. 131 While I was stretched on my straw.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho IV. xii. 256 On the hearth were several dogs stretched in sleep.
1799 W. Wordsworth Poet's Epit. 59 Here stretch thy body at full length.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas II. vi. i. 424 We stretched our length upon the grass, and soon fell fast asleep.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. v. 108 Daniel Quilp..climbed on to the desk..and stretching his short length upon it went to sleep.
1852 M. Arnold Empedocles on Etna, & Other Poems 202 Scarce fresher is the mountain sod Where the tired angler lies, stretch'd out.
1874 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 1st Ser. 350 He was generally to be found stretched..upon a rug before the fire.
1908 R. Bagot Anthony Cuthbert vii. 77 He stretched himself on his desk-chair.
b. To lay (a person) flat. Also (now dialect), to straighten the limbs (of a dead person); to ‘lay out’ for burial (= streek v. 2); (slang), to kill (a person). Cf. to lay out at lay v.1 Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > disposal of corpse > preparation or treatment of corpse > prepare corpse [verb (transitive)] > lay out
stretcha1225
streek1303
to lay out1595
composea1677
straight1725
stroke1898
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of lying down or reclining > lie down or recline [verb (transitive)] > lay down or cause to lie down > flat
stretcha1225
the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (transitive)]
swevec725
quelmeOE
slayc893
quelleOE
of-falleOE
ofslayeOE
aquellc950
ayeteeOE
spillc950
beliveOE
to bring (also do) of (one's) life-dayOE
fordoa1000
forfarea1000
asweveOE
drepeOE
forleseOE
martyrOE
to do (also i-do, draw) of lifeOE
bringc1175
off-quellc1175
quenchc1175
forswelta1225
adeadc1225
to bring of daysc1225
to do to deathc1225
to draw (a person) to deathc1225
murder?c1225
aslayc1275
forferec1275
to lay to ground, to earth (Sc. at eird)c1275
martyrc1300
strangle1303
destroya1325
misdoa1325
killc1330
tailc1330
to take the life of (also fro)c1330
enda1340
to kill to (into, unto) death1362
brittena1375
deadc1374
to ding to deathc1380
mortifya1382
perisha1387
to dight to death1393
colea1400
fella1400
kill out (away, down, up)a1400
to slay up or downa1400
swelta1400
voida1400
deliverc1400
starvec1425
jugylc1440
morta1450
to bring to, on, or upon (one's) bierc1480
to put offc1485
to-slaya1500
to make away with1502
to put (a person or thing) to silencec1503
rida1513
to put downa1525
to hang out of the way1528
dispatch?1529
strikea1535
occidea1538
to firk to death, (out) of lifec1540
to fling to deathc1540
extinct1548
to make out of the way1551
to fet offa1556
to cut offc1565
to make away?1566
occise1575
spoil1578
senda1586
to put away1588
exanimate1593
unmortalize1593
speed1594
unlive1594
execute1597
dislive1598
extinguish1598
to lay along1599
to make hence1605
conclude1606
kill off1607
disanimate1609
feeze1609
to smite, stab in, under the fifth rib1611
to kill dead1615
transporta1616
spatch1616
to take off1619
mactate1623
to make meat of1632
to turn up1642
inanimate1647
pop1649
enecate1657
cadaverate1658
expedite1678
to make dog's meat of1679
to make mincemeat of1709
sluice1749
finisha1753
royna1770
still1778
do1780
deaden1807
deathifyc1810
to lay out1829
cool1833
to use up1833
puckeroo1840
to rub out1840
cadaverize1841
to put under the sod1847
suicide1852
outkill1860
to fix1875
to put under1879
corpse1884
stiffen1888
tip1891
to do away with1899
to take out1900
stretch1902
red-light1906
huff1919
to knock rotten1919
skittle1919
liquidate1924
clip1927
to set over1931
creasea1935
ice1941
lose1942
to put to sleep1942
zap1942
hit1955
to take down1967
wax1968
trash1973
ace1975
a1225 Juliana (Royal MS.) 26 Þe reue..grede: strupeð hire steort naket & strecheð hire on þe eorðe.
c1275 Signs of Death 8 in Old Eng. Misc. On flore me þe streccheþ And leyþ þe on bere.
c1275 Serving Christ 6 in Old Eng. Misc. And þolede dom vor his duþe, þat he wes ded strauht.
c1390 (?c1350) Joseph of Arimathie (1871) l. 519 Þe stiward of Eualak..lai streiht on þe feld striken to þe eorþe.
1612 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote (1620) iii. i. 117 Striking me downe on the place where I yet lie straught.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis v, in tr. Virgil Wks. 342 And by the Stroak of his resistless Hand, [he] Stretch'd the vast Bulk upon the yellow Sand.
1757 W. Wilkie Epigoniad iii. 67 Andremon first,..Of life bereft, lay stretch'd upon the sand.
1839 W. Carleton Fardorougha vi. 142 Confusion to the ring he'll ever put an her! I'd see her stretched [foot-n. dead] first.
1847 W. H. Prescott Hist. Conquest Peru II. iv. v. 184 The struggle lasted for some minutes, till both of Pizarro's pages were stretched by his side.
1902 S. E. White Blazed Trail xxx. 208 He rushed on Dyer, and with one full, clean in-blow stretched him stunned on the dock.
1902 R. Kipling Traffics & Discov. (1904) 11 He said if you stretched a man at his prayers you'd have to hump his bad luck before the Throne as well as your own.
1907 J. H. Patterson Man-eaters of Tsavo v. 51 I..found seven badly injured men lying stretched out on the ground.
1953 M. Gilbert Fear to Tread viii. 107 Once..Annie had a husband. She got tired of him, so she ‘stretched him with a bottle’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > spread (something) out or open
abredeeOE
bredeOE
stretcha1000
to-spreada1000
openOE
spreadc1175
displayc1320
to let outc1380
to open outc1384
outspreada1400
spald?a1400
splayc1402
expand?a1475
to lay along1483
speld?a1500
skail1513
to set abroad1526
to lay abroad1530
flarec1550
bespread1557
to set out1573
dispread1590
explaina1600
expanse1600
dispack1605
splat1615
dispand1656
extend1676
flat1709
spelder1710
spreadeagle1829
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > bed > types of bed > furnish with bed [verb (transitive)] > make (a bed)
stretchc1475
a1000 West Saxon Gospels: Mark (Corpus Cambr.) xi. 8 Manega hyra reaf on þone weg strehton [L. straverunt].
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 3 Heo nomen heore claþes..and strehiten [? read streihten] under þa assa fet.
c1475 Partenay 1005 Forth anon the bede [was] streight And made redy.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > [phrase] > extended at length
long streight, straught?a1366
at (also in) full length1583
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > in longitudinal extent [phrase] > extended at length
long streight, straught?a1366
?a1366 Romaunt Rose 1021 Hir tresses yelowe, and longe straughten, Unto hir heles doun they raughten.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iv. 1163 He rist him up, and long streight he hir leyde.
a1400 Octouian 959 Thus they shall lye long straught Or that they go.
1609 J. Davies Holy Roode sig. A4v Thinke that thou seest him on his face longe straught In Praier, and in Passion sweating Bloud.
1611 J. Davies Scourge Folly clxvi. 79 O Sweete, deere sweete,..Quoth Citheris (long straught) vnto her deere.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > falling > fall [verb (intransitive)] > fall down or from erect position > specifically of person or animal
to light lowc1225
wendc1300
to seek to the earth or groundc1330
tumblea1375
stretchc1400
to take a fall1413
to blush to the eartha1500
to come down1603
to go to grassa1640
to be floored1826
to take a spilla1845
to come (fall, get) a cropper1858
to hunt grass1872
to come (also have) a buster1874
to hit the deck1954
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of lying down or reclining > lie down or recline [verb (intransitive)] > lie down or assume reclining position
layc1175
to lie downc1275
liec1330
stretch1828
c1400 Song Roland 769 Stedes in that stound strechid to ground.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth i, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 17 Stretch down in the stern of that boat, and let me wrap this cloak about thee.
2.
a. To extend (the arms) laterally; to expand (the wings), esp. for flight.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of stretching body > stretch [verb (transitive)] > esp. of Christ on the cross
tighta1000
to-tightc1200
stretcha1240
reacha1300
extend1526
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of stretching body > stretch [verb (transitive)] > specific part of body > the arms laterally
stretcha1240
a1240 Ureisun in Old Eng. Hom. I. 185 Hwi nam ich in þin earmes. In þin earmes swa istrahte and isprad on rode.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13978 Arður þa up aras and strehte [c1300 Otho strahte] his ærmes.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1963) 3 Kings vi. 27 Forsoþe þe cherubyn strauȝtyn out þeir weengis.
c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) iv. xxxv. 194 And hadde wynges redy streiht for to flee to þe skyes.
1692 M. Prior Ode Imitation Horace iii. ii. 107 Let Fear look back, and stretch her hasty Wing, Impatient to secure a base Retreat.
?a1760 R. Seagrave Hymns & Spiritual Songs (1860) 8 Rise, my Soul, and stretch thy Wings.
1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision II. xi. 39 That ye have power To stretch your wing, which e'en to your desire Shall lift you.
b. Of a tree: To extend (its branches).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by habit > tree or woody plant > characterized by habit > grow in a specific manner [verb (transitive)] > extend branches
stretcha1382
reach1623
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. xxiv. 22 I as a terebynt streiȝte out [a1425 L.V. stretchide forth] my braunchis.
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 2052 The fyr..That..twenty fadme of brede the armes straughte.
1816 P. B. Shelley Alastor 39 A pine, Rock-rooted, stretched athwart the vacancy Its swinging boughs.
3. † c. intransitive. To strut. In quot. 1619 with it. Obsolete.
a. reflexive. To straighten oneself; to rise to full height (†also with up); also, to draw up the body, as from a stooping, cramped, or relaxed posture; to straighten the body and extend the arms, as a manifestation of weariness or langour (chiefly coupled with yawn).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > upright or erect posture > assume upright or erect position [verb (reflexive)]
stretchc1325
to pull upa1393
sustainc1405
address1483
to draw up1751
c1325 Chron. Eng. 772 in J. Ritson Anc. Eng. Metrical Romanceës (1802) II And a cripel eke anon Ther him strahte ant myhte gon.
c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame 1373 She Hir tho so wonderliche streighte, That with hir feet she therthe reighte, And with hir heed she touched hevene.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur xx. xxi. 836 Than he stratched hym vp & stode nere syr Gauwayn.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xxxv. 182 He stretched hym up and lyft his axe a lofte.
1563 T. Sackville in W. Baldwin et al. Myrrour for Magistrates (new ed.) xix I strecht my selfe, and strayt my hart reuiues.
1590 Cobler of Caunterburie 69 At length the Farmar awoke, and stretching himselfe, finding that he was naked, [etc.].
1594 (a1555) D. Lindsay Hist. Squyer Meldrum l. 374, in Wks. (1931) I. 156 He lap vpon his Cursour wicht, And straucht him in his stirroppis richt.
1602 W. Vaughan Nat. & Artific. Direct. Health (1626) 165 First of all in the morning when you are about to rise, stretch your selfe strongly.
1639 S. Du Verger tr. J.-P. Camus Admirable Events 3 Wrastlers, who stretch themselves up on their feet, so much the stronglier..by how much their adversary is tall.
1729 B. Mandeville Fable Bees ii. vi. 340 Stretching ourselves before others, whilst we are yawning, is an absolute Breach of good Manners.
1829 W. Scott Anne of Geierstein I. ix. 237 Yawning and stretching himself like one whose slumbers had been broken by no welcome summons.
1858 E. Bulwer-Lytton What will he do with It? iii. iv Mop [the dog]..rose and stretched himself.
1888 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Robbery under Arms xxii Jim soon woke up and stretched himself.
b. intransitive for reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of stretching body > stretch oneself or be stretched [verb (intransitive)]
raxlec1275
roxle?c1335
raxa1400
streeka1400
stretcha1586
spelder1720
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1593) iv. sig. Mm1v With a painfull stretching, and forced yawning.
1614 J. Taylor Nipping of Abuses sig. D1 The seuenth was Sloth,..Who being cald, did gape, and yawne, and stretch.
1705 C. Cibber Careless Husband v. vi. 62 And by that time you stretcht, and Gap'd him Heartily out of Patience.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk, tread, or step [verb (intransitive)] > in stately or affected manner
prancea1398
jeta1400
prankc1450
strut1518
stalk1530
jotc1560
brank1568
piaffe1593
strit1597
swagger1600
stretch1619
prig1623
flutter1690
prink1696
jut1763
strunt1789
straddle1802
major1814
cakewalk1890
sashay1968
1619 H. Hutton Compend. Hist. Ixion's Wheele in Follie's Anat. sig. D4 Cornuted Phœbe, in her coach, doth prance: Bacchus..doth stretch it on the stage.
II. To put forward, protrude.† 6. To set up (a standard). Obsolete.† 7. To emit (rays, streams); also intransitive of a light, to be emitted in a certain direction. Obsolete.
4. † c. intransitive. Of an arm: To be extended. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To put forth, extend (the hand, an arm or leg, the neck, head); †to extend, hold out (a weapon, a staff). Also (now almost always) with adverb, forth, out, forward.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of stretching body > stretch [verb (transitive)] > specific part of body
reacheOE
stretcha1000
to-spreada1000
warpa1225
spreada1275
putc1390
straightc1400
to lay forthc1420
outstretcha1425
tillc1540
extend1611
to rax out1622
to stick out1663
overreach1890
a1000 West Saxon Gospels: John xxi. 18 Þonne þu ealdest þu strecst [L. extendes] þine handa.
a1225 Leg. Kath. 2233 Streche forð þine swire scharp sweord to underfonne.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10592 He stræhte scaft stærcne.
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. II. 198 Stretche out þin hond.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Exod. x. 13 And Moyses strauȝte out the ȝerde vpon the loond of Egipte.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis l. 195 And thanne hire handes to the hevene Sche strawhte.
c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) iii. xxxvii. 155 She..a yens me strauhte hire handes.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) ii. 351 Thai straucht thar speris.
1577 T. Kendall tr. Politianus et al. Flowers of Epigrammes f. 107 His snout was stretched forth.
1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 33v God..that stretcheth out his armes from morning to euening to couer his children.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads vii. 164 He stretcht his hand, and into it, the Herald put the lot.
1696 R. Howlett School Recreat. (new ed.) 68 [Fencing] To Elonge. This is to Streach forward your Right Arm and Leg, and [etc.].
1777 R. Potter tr. Æschylus Prometheus Chain'd in tr. Æschylus Tragedies 62 To stretch my supplicating hands.
1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 825 So when the Jewish leader stretch'd his arm,..a race obscene..came forth Polluting Egypt.
1804 J. Abernethy Surg. Observ. 189 He stretched out his right arm when required.
1812 H. Smith & J. Smith Rejected Addr. 74 These stretch'd forth a pole From the wall's pinnacle.
1812 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Cantos I & II ii. lxvii. 94 The Suliotes stretch'd the welcome hand, Led them o'er rocks and past the dangerous swamp.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. ii. vi. 70 Swindlery and Blackguardism have stretched hands across the Channel.
1839 C. Dickens Nicholas Nickleby xiv. 128 The guests..stretched their necks forward, and listened attentively.
1847 W. C. L. Martin Ox 132/2 The animal staggers.., its flanks heave, the head is stretched out.
1853 W. M. Thackeray Eng. Humourists i. 26 His hand was constantly stretched out to relieve an honest man.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xi. 79 I stretched my hand towards him.
1904 K. C. Thurston John Chilcote (1912) iii. 29 Moving straight forward, he paused by the grate and stretched his hands to the blaze.
b. absol. To extend one's hand, reach for something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > touch or feel with the hand [verb (transitive)] > stretch hand out to touch
stretchc1390
grapple1596
c1390 (?c1350) Joseph of Arimathie (1871) l. 544 Sone þenne he starte vp and streiȝte to his hache.
a1774 O. Goldsmith tr. P. Scarron Comic Romance (1775) II. xix. 149 Whenever they stretched for the holy water, a thousand hands made tenders of their service.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of stretching body > stretch oneself or be stretched [verb (intransitive)] > specific part of body
astretchc1000
reachOE
stretcha1375
to make a long neck1490
stram1792
crane1799
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 2957 Of ȝour riȝt arm þat ouer rome streyt, I se wel þe signifiaunce.
1765 D. Angelo School of Fencing (ed. 2) 7 When the arm stretches forth in order to thrust, the foot must follow at the same time.
5. † b. figurative (a) To direct (one's hope, trust) to an object. (b) To hold out, extend (relief) to a person. Obsolete.
a. To hold out, hand, reach (something). Now only Nautical in phrase (see quot. 1644).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > extend so far as to touch
reachc1225
attaina1375
stretcha1500
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of stretching body > stretch [verb (transitive)]
astretchc1000
raxlec1275
streekc1330
porrectc1425
stretcha1500
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxxii. 639 Than he drough oute a letter..and straught it to the kynge.
1644 H. Mainwaring Sea-mans Dict. 103 When they goe to hoyse a yard, or hale the sheate, they say, stretch fore-ward the Hilliards, or the sheates: that is deliver along that part (which they must hale by) into the mens hands.
1849 E. Bulwer-Lytton King Arthur vi. xlix ‘Sir Host,’ said Gawaine, as he stretched his platter, ‘I'll first the pie discuss, and then the matter.’
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > belief, trust, confidence > have confidence in, trust [verb (transitive)] > place trust
stretchc1000
repose1538
refer1594
give1599
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > grant or allow to have
lenda900
unneeOE
titheeOE
i-unneeOE
reachOE
aleneOE
yatea1122
yielda1225
grant1297
vouchsafe1303
agrauntea1400
octroy1480
vouchsafe1587
beteem1600
stretch1711
accordc1820
c1000 Ælfric Homilies I. 252 Strece ðærto þinne hiht.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 91 Þei þat were helid were not helid sympli bi þe touching, but for þe trust þat þei strechid finaly in to God.
1711 in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 184 The potentats of that religion have stood idle..without stretching the least relief.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > insignia > standard > [verb (transitive)] > fly or hoist flags, etc.
stretchc1400
to put outa1450
show1488
wear1558
to set out1573
to set up1585
to put abroad1625
fly1655
hoist1697
rehoist1765
run1815
c1400 Siege Jerusalem (1932) 21/385 He streyȝt up a standard.
c1400 Melayne 1185 All [nyghte on]e þe bent þay bade With standardes euen vp streghte.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > shine [verb (intransitive)] > emit rays > be emitted in the form of rays > in a certain direction
stretchc1275
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > emit
send971
stretchc1275
casta1300
sheda1325
manda1350
to throw outa1413
yielda1450
devoida1475
render1481
reflair1509
sup out1513
to give out1530
utter1536
spout1568
to give fortha1586
to let fly1590
to put out1614
eject1616
evacuate1622
ejaculate1625
emit1626
fling1637
outsend1647
exert1660
extramit1668
exclude1677
emane1708
extromita1711
evolve1772
emanate1797
discharge1833
exsert1835
to give off1840
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 8971 Þe oðer leome þe strahte [c1300 Otho streahte] west wunder ane lihte. þat bið a dohter.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 8925 Þe leome þa strehte [c1300 Otho strahte] west-riht a seouen bæmen wes idiht.
c1400 Brut i. 64 By þe beem þat stracchet towarde Irland, is bitokenede þat ȝe shul bigete a douȝter þat shal be quene of Irland.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 915 And as he [sc. the dragon] tilt out his tung with his tethe grym, He straght fro hym stremes all of styth venym.
III. To direct a course.† 8. † 10. Of a stream: To run, flow swiftly. Obsolete.
a. To direct (one's course). Also reflexive of a person. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct (one's course, steps, etc.) [verb (transitive)]
stretcha1225
turnc1275
ready?a1400
seta1400
incline?c1400
apply?a1425
raika1500
rechec1540
make1548
address1554
frame1576
bend1579
to shape one's course1593
intend1596
tend1611
direct1632
steer1815
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > direct one's course [verb (reflexive)]
turnc1175
stretcha1225
bowc1275
steer1399
straighta1400
ready?a1425
purposec1425
address1436
applya1450
shape1480
make1488
aima1500
bound1821
a1225 St. Marher. 9 He [the dragon] strahte him ant sturede toward tis meoke meiden.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 3279 He..streiȝt him in-to the stabul þere þe stede stod.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 296 He seith noght ones ‘grant merci’, Bot strauhte him forth to the cite.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 313 Towardes Tharse his cours he straghte.
b. To direct the course of (a ship, etc.); absol. to steer. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > steering > steer [verb (intransitive)]
steerc897
stretchc1275
steer1340
stern14..
to steer a, one's course1602
helm1607
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > steering > steer [verb (transitive)]
steera1122
stretchc1275
lead1377
stern1577
helm1607
rudder1856
steer1873
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 4862 To Tottenas heo come. strahten [c1300 Otho strehte] scipen to þan londe & eoden uppen stranden.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1442 Brecon þa strenges þe he mid strahte [c1300 Otho streþte]. & he feol to folde.
9. intransitive. To make one's way (rapidly or with effort). In later use coloured by sense 20b.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] > energetically
stretchc1275
peg1748
to strike out1847
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13770 His cnihtes..mid muchelere strengðe þurh þat feht stræhten.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1113 Strecches forþ wiþ ȝour ost, stinteþ no lenger.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 258 The Sail goth up, and forth thei strauhte.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 905 Loke ȝe stemme no stepe, bot strechez on faste.
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 971 To strech in þe strete þou has no vygour.
c1430 Chev. Assigne 220 The grypte eyþur a staffe in here honde & on here wey strawȝte.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1354 Thai..Streght into stretis and into stronge houses.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 64 Crying Cormorants forsake the Sea, And stretching to the Covert wing their way. View more context for this quotation
1735 W. Somervile Chace ii. 13 Then o'er the Lawn he [the Roe-buck] bounds, o'er the high Hills Stretches secure.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake iii. 114 Stretch onward in thy fleet career!
1860 W. M. Thackeray Lovel (1861) iv. 156 I stretch over Putney Heath, and my spirit resumes its tranquillity.
1861 G. J. Whyte-Melville Good for Nothing II. xxvi. 2 Stretching away at the best pace a wiry little Australian horse..can command, rides an Englishman in the normal state of hurry peculiar to his countrymen.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > flow [verb (intransitive)]
runeOE
flowa1000
fleetc1175
stretchc1275
slide1390
fleamc1465
pour1538
slip1596
streek1598
strain1612
put1670
rindle1863
slosha1953
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13714 Stræhten [c1300 Otho vrnen] after stretes blodie stremes.
11. Nautical. To sail (esp. under crowd of canvas) continuously in one direction. Also with adverbs.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (intransitive)] > head in a certain course or direction > continuously
stretch1687
to run trade1723
1687 London Gaz. No. 2251/4 The headmost..stretched to Windward, and there lay pecking at us, whilest his Companion was doing the same a Stern.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 165 Just as I had set my Mast and Sail, and the Boat began to stretch away, I saw [etc.].
1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World xii. 388 I stretch'd over for California.
1777 J. Cook Voy. S. Pole II. iii. iii. 27 Then we tacked and stretched in for the island till near sun-set.
1809 Collingwood in Naval Chron. 22 502 Our boats stretched out.
1832 F. Marryat Newton Forster I. v. 61 They were stretching off the land.
1845 J. Coulter Adventures Pacific xv. 244 In a few days we put to sea, and stretched away to the northward of this group [of islands].
1884 ‘H. Collingwood’ Under Meteor Flag 4 We stretched off the land, close-hauled upon the starboard tack.
IV. To (make to) reach; to give or have a certain extent.† 15. To tend, be serviceable (to some object).
12. transitive. To place (something) so as to reach from one point to another, or across an interval in space.† c. To pitch (a tent). Also with out. Obsolete.† d. To draw out in a straight line. Obsolete.
a. with object something rigid. Obsolete exc. technical.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > extend over or across > cause to
stretcha1225
overstretchc1500
overlay?1609
streek1787
the world > space > relative position > condition or fact of being interjacent > be or make interjacent [verb (transitive)] > place (a thing) between > from one point to another
stretcha1225
run1627
a1225 Juliana (Royal MS.) 56 Þat axtreo stod istraht on twa half in te twa stanene postles.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 3779 In slepe he say a ladder strauȝt Fro his heed to þe sky hit rauȝt.
1776 G. Semple Treat. Building in Water 50 On those set~off's stretch your Plates.
b. To extend (something flexible, e.g. a cord or curtain) from one point to another or across a space, by drawing it out more or less straight.This may be regarded as a weakening of sense 16, from which it is often indistinguishable.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (transitive)] > stretch out > across a space
stretchc1430
string1838
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)] > increase scope
stretchc1430
eslargea1450
eslargish1484
widen1574
extend1584
enlarge1594
c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) iv. xxviii. 191 And aboue was þe mast of þe ship dressed wher vpon heeng þe seyl ystreight.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) clxxvii. 261 They toke the hydes of the beestes that deyde and stratched them vpon thengynes for to kepe & defende them fro fyre.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. xl. C That he spredeth out the heauens as a coueringe, that he stretcheth them out, as a tent to dwell in.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 60 Then Weavers stretch your Stays upon the Weft. View more context for this quotation
1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor i, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. II. 14 I ought to have torn away the veil which interested persons had stretched betwixt us.
1832 D. Brewster Lett. Nat. Magic iv. 87 A black cloth should be stretched at some distance behind them.
1854 tr. H. Hettner Athens & Peloponnese 56 The dancers take hands and form a circle; to widen which they sometimes stretch handkerchiefs from hand to hand.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Stretch along a brace, to lay it along the decks in readiness for the men to lay hold of.
1884 J. Marshall Tennis Cuts 85 We invented gloves; then we lined those gloves. After that, we stretched gut-strings across the gloves.
1907 J. A. Hodges Elem. Photogr. (ed. 6) 87 A piece of clothes line, stretched across the room.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabiting temporarily > camping or encamping > pitch (tent or camp) [verb (transitive)]
teldc725
slayc1000
to set upc1275
pitchc1325
allodgec1330
wickc1330
streeka1340
till1362
stretch1382
pick?a1400
tent1553
stenda1600
to strike up1755
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Gen. xxxi. 25 And now Jacob hadde strauȝte [L. extenderat; a1425 L.V. stretchid forth] a tabernacle in the hil.
c1475 Partenay 869 Tentes And pauilons streght and pight freshly Besyde a ualey, enmyddes a plain.
1536 Storys & Prophesis Script. F iv b Moche wyder hath youre bryde the holy cherche stretched out and piched hyr tente.
1587 D. Fenner Song of Songs i. 6 For why should I become like vnto one of those Which doeth stretch out his Tent fast by the flockes of thy fellowes?
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > straightness > make straight [verb (transitive)] > draw out in a straight line
stretch1542
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 7v Yf thou stretch ye walkynges that thou vsest at home, & laye theim on length by the space of fiue or sixe dayes together yu shalt easyly reache to Olympia.
13.
a. †reflexive (obsolete) and intransitive (rarely passive) To have a specified extent in space; to be continuous to a certain point, or over a certain distance or area. Also with away, out, off.In modern use ordinarily implying a large extent; where this notion is not present the synonym extend is now preferred.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > extend [verb (reflexive)]
spread1340
stretcha1387
extend1481
ramify1796
the world > space > extension in space > extend in space [verb (intransitive)] > extend in a certain direction
liec1000
shootc1000
drawc1180
stretcha1387
streek1388
bear1556
trend1598
tend1604
take1610
to make out1743
to put out1755
trench1768
make1787
the world > action or operation > doing > act or do [verb (intransitive)] > go to a certain length in action > have a specified extent or range of action
stretchc1380
stretcha1387
the world > relative properties > relationship > relevance or pertinence > [verb (intransitive)] > have a specific range of application
stretchc1380
stretcha1387
reflexive.
intransitive.a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 107 Þe kyngdom of Deyra tillede and streiȝte [L. extendebatur] from þe ryuer of Humber anon to þe ryuere of Tyne.1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 137 A tree..Whos heihte straghte up to the hevene.c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) vi. 22 Araby strechez fra þe end of Caldee to þe last end of Affric.1434 Coventry Leet Bk. 157 Þe weye that stretcheth fro Cheylesmore Grene vnto Somerlesowe.1542–3 Act 34 & 35 Hen. VIII c. 12 §1 Allso oone litle Lane streatching from the saide waie to the Signe of the Bell at Drewrye Lane ende.1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. iii Minorque hath in length 60. miles, & in circuit 150. & to the East stretcheth from Maiorque 30. miles.1603 J. Davies Microcosmos 238 Her nether Vesture strecht but to her calfe, Yet lower rought then that aboue, by halfe.1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 41 The place must be seared with a hot yron, so farre as the venom stretcheth.a1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1645 (1955) II. 319 Pursuing the same noble Way..the Appian, which we found..to stretch from Capua to Rome it selfe.1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson i. vi. 69 The Andes which skirt it, and stretch quite down to the water.1788 F. Burney Diary 13 Feb. (1842) IV. 60 Their green benches..stretched..along the whole left side of the Hall.1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) v. 41 The dreary perspective of empty pews stretching away under the galleries.1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond I. iii. 75 The London road stretched away towards the rising sun.1858 J. W. Etheridge Life A. Clarke (ed. 2) i. viii. 128 The minister's family were to reside in the apartments on the ground-floor, the school-room stretching over all above.1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. vii. 47 A steep slope stretches down to the Mer de Glace.1894 R. D. Blackmore Perlycross I. xviii. 277 Southward stretched the rich Perle valley.passive.1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden Of Dominion of Sea 39 Whatsoever is stretcht forth on this side and within Mount Amanus, is the Territorie of Israel.1867 M. E. Herbert Cradle Lands viii. 223 On one side is stretched the great plain of Esdraelon.1423 Coventry Leet Bk. 50 A feld of Wylliam Wymeswold stretchyng hym-selff vnto a comyn hyȝe-way, þat is callyd the Deed-lane... The said way, þat is callyd Deed-lane, þat strechithe hym-selff fro the Span-brooke toward the Hill-Crosse.
c1460 Oseney Reg. 181 And j. Rodde of londe the wich strecchith hit-Selfe In lambescotestrete By the londe of William Sweyne.
1607 T. Ridley View Civile & Eccl. Law Contents sig. A1 That the second part hath eight books... That the third part stretcheth it selfe into eight bookes.
b. To have its length in a specified direction. ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > point or lie in a direction [verb (intransitive)]
goeOE
wendOE
runOE
stretchc1400
strike1456
extend1481
point?1518
address1523
passc1550
tend1574
trend1598
conduce1624
direct1665
verge1726
shape1769
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > extend longitudinally [verb (intransitive)]
runOE
stretchc1400
range1600
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxxiii. 150 Þe walle..strechez fra þe south toward þe north.
1449 in Cal. Proc. Chancery Queen Elizabeth (1830) II. Pref. 54 The same hous by ground shall have a parclose walle, strecchyng along north and south duryng the seid length of lxvj fete.
1598 W. Phillip tr. Descr. Voy. E. Indies 11 We put out with a North wind, the Bay stretching Northeast and Southwest.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xi, in tr. Virgil Wks. 552 A Tract of Land..Along the Tyber, stretching to the West.
c. transferred with reference to time. nonce-uses.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > have duration [verb (intransitive)] > grow longer or extend
longOE
reacha1325
lengthc1400
prolong1449
stretcha1616
pretend1655
to spin out1720
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) i. i. 48 There's not a minute of our liues should stretch Without some pleasure now. View more context for this quotation
1868 A. P. Stanley Hist. Mem. Westm. Abbey iv. 263 Three statesmen stretch across the first half of the eighteenth century.
1898 J. A. Owen Story Hawaii iii. 53 The influence of these enterprising navigators is seen stretching on for some hundreds of years.
14. figurative.† a. To have a specified measure in amount, degree, power, etc.; to be adequate for some purpose. Obsolete.† b. To go a certain length in action. Obsolete.† c. To have a specified extent or range of action or application. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > be sufficient [verb (intransitive)]
sufficec1340
servea1375
stretchc1374
suffiec1380
reach1446
stake1572
to pass muster1855
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > be sufficient [verb (reflexive)]
stretchc1374
reflexive.
intransitive.c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde ii. 341 If ye be swich, your beautee may not strecche To make amendes of so cruel a dede.c1386 G. Chaucer Canon's Yeoman's Prol. & Tale 534 As ferforth as my konnyng may strecche.1418 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 43 He will that..his brother..fynde his fadir..with the profitz of the place, as ferre as they wille strecche.1466 in F. W. Weaver Somerset Medieval Wills (1901) 210 And if my goodes will streche thereto I will than an honest preest have 9 marcs for a hoole yere to syng.1572 I. B. Let. to R. C. sig. Aij Some..whose vnderstanding can not stretche to a matter of so greate aduice.1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxvii. 143 You would haue your childe learned, but your purse will not streatch.1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 i. ii. 55 Falst. Thou hast paid all there. Prin. Yea and else where, so far as my coine would stretch . View more context for this quotationa1648 Ld. Herbert Life Henry VIII (1649) 344 Wee will take such Commons as they have at Oxford; Which, yet, if our purse will not stretch to maintain, for our last refuge wee will goe a begging.c1386 G. Chaucer Melibeus ⁋3015 Youre liberal grace and mercy strecchen hem ferther in-to goodnesse, than doon oure outrageouse giltes and trespas in-to wikkednesse.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > act or do [verb (intransitive)] > go to a certain length in action
stretchc1374
the world > action or operation > doing > do [verb (reflexive)] > go to a certain length in action
stretchc1374
reflexive.
intransitive.1550 J. Harington tr. Cicero Bk. Freendeship f. 26 Let vs firste see this poinct, howe farre oughte loue to stretche in freendship [L. quatenus amor in amicitia progredi debeat].c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde i. 903 For vertue streccheþ not hym self to shame.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > act or do [verb (intransitive)] > go to a certain length in action > have a specified extent or range of action
stretchc1380
stretcha1387
the world > action or operation > doing > do [verb (reflexive)] > go to a certain length in action > have a specified extent or range of action
stretchc1380
the world > relative properties > relationship > relevance or pertinence > [verb (intransitive)] > have a specific range of application
stretchc1380
stretcha1387
the world > relative properties > relationship > relevance or pertinence > [verb (reflexive)] > have a specific range of application
stretchc1380
reflexive.
intransitive.c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 420 Þis charite of freris schulde streeche to alle gode men.1423 Rolls of Parl. IV. 256/1 That this ordynaunce stretche and bere strenketh also wel wyth in Chesshire.c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 278 Into ferther purpos than in to this purpos now here seid strecchith not eny of the textis now bifore alleggid.1461 Little Red Bk. Bristol (1900) II. 128 That thes acte strecche not to any mannes wyfe of the Crafte of Wevers nowe levyng.1530 St. German's Secunde Dyaloge Doctour & Student xlii. f. cvii Yf a man..banysshyd be restoryd by the prynce, whether shal that restytucyon stretche to the goodes.1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 13 He would there should no such power stretch to his successours, therefore he made no mention of them.1621 H. Elsynge Notes Deb. House of Lords (1870) 125 L. Chamberlaine thinkes the priviledge dothe not stretche to goodes, and they are not to be delivered.1625 H. Finch Law (1636) 25 A Statute that maketh it felony to receiue..one that committeth such and such an offence..stretcheth not to a woman that receiueth..her husband in such a case.1659 J. Milton Treat. Civil Power 27 The other..makes himself supream lord or pope of the church as far as his civil jurisdiction stretches.passive.c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 343 For siþ vertue of a kyng mut be strecchid by al his rewme, myche more þe vertue of Crist is comuned wiþ al his children.a1586 Sir P. Sidney Apol. Poetrie (1595) sig. I1 But I honor philosophicall instructions,..so as they be not abused, which is likewise stretched to Poetrie.c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 490 Tho textis strecchen hem to viciose persoones being out of religioun, as weel as to viciose persoones in religioun.
1559 Certayne Serm. (new ed.) sig. L.iiv Howe charitie stretcheth [earlier edd. extendeth] it selfe, both to God and man, frend and foe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > tend or incline [verb (intransitive)] > be conducive or tend to an end
pretend1402
stretchc1412
conduct1481
to conduce to1586
terminate1587
shapea1616
determine1651
minister1696
tend1936
c1412 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 4836 For Cristes sake, so yow gyeth ay, As þat may strecche to your peples ese.
1491 Act 7 Hen. VII c. 1 §1 His offence stretchith to the hurt and jopardie of the King.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 9207 Hit semith me vnsertain, all serchyng of wayes Ys stokyn vp full stithly, shuld streche to my hele!
1587 A. Day Longus's Daphnis & Chloe sig. A3 And for that her care stretched that the girle..might the sooner be taken and reputed for hers, she..called her Chloe.
1621 True Relation Execution in Prague A 3 The Iudgement..should not be executed, but in such a sort as might..stretch to the reputation and authority of the Emperours Maiesty.
V. To tighten by force, to strain.
16. † b. To take out (wrinkles) by stretching. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To pull taut; to bring (e.g. a rope, piece of cloth) to a rigid state of straightness or evenness by the application of tractive force at the extremities; to strain; to remove the curl from (hair).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > hardness > types of hardness > [verb (transitive)] > make taut
stretcha1387
bracec1440
wrench1577
span1598
tend1646
span1650
screw1657
tauten1777
tensify1869
tense1884
tension1891
the world > movement > impelling or driving > pushing and pulling > push and pull [verb (transitive)] > pull > pull tight
stretcha1387
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > [verb (transitive)] > lengthen > by drawing out > forcibly or tightly
stretcha1387
straina1400
ratcha1529
outstretch1588
outstrain1591
intend1658
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > beautify (the hair) [verb (transitive)] > straighten
stretch1963
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 211 Ȝif þe streng is i~strauȝt endelonges [L. chorda extensa] uppon þe holownesse of a tree.
?1527 Iudycyall of Vryns ii. vii. 30 b Diafragma... And therfore it is strauth and taught and raeyched oute as it were a testure of clothe.
a1535 J. Fisher Serm. Good Friday in Spirituall Consol. (?1578) sig. E.viij Neuer anye Parchement skynne was more strayghtlye stratched by strength vpon the tentors.
1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 40v It behooueth your Honour..to playe the Musition, stretch euery string till hee breake.
1590 T. Lodge Rosalynde (1592) B The meane is sweetest melodie, where strings high stretch [t] , eyther soone cracke, or quickly grow out of time [? read tune].
1705 N. Tate Triumph 13 Then try your Skill: a well-prim'd Canvass stretch.
1735 W. Somervile Chace ii. 268 Each eager Hound exerts His utmost Speed, and stretches ev'ry Nerve.
1763 J. Brown Diss. Poetry & Music v. 67 Mercury was the Inventor of the Lyre; which had but four Strings, and these were stretched on a Turtle's Shell.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art II. 698 For the convenience of keeping the paper stretched and smooth,..a drawing-board is used.
1883 M. P. Bale Saw-mills 185 Considerable trouble is often found in stretching or tightening large belts on to their pulleys.
1963 W. Soyinka Lion & Jewel 9 Her hair is stretched Like a magazine photo.
1971 C. Achebe Girls at War (1972) 58 Now Abigail was a lady; she could sew and bake..put on powder and perfumes and stretch her hair.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > make smooth [verb (transitive)] > remove wrinkles from > remove (wrinkles)
stretcha1541
extend1541
smooth1683
smooth1785
a1541 R. Barnes Wks. (1573) 254 Her wryncles bee streatched out.
c. intr. to stretch out: to be made even by straining.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > treating or processing textile fabric > treat or process textile fabrics [verb (intransitive)] > stretch > be made even by
to stretch out1838
1838 J. Robinson in Newton's London Jrnl. (1840) 16 68 The cloth is then folded back tightly over the tension rod e, and stretches out smooth in the opposite direction.
17. To pull (a person's) limbs lengthwise; esp. to torture by so doing, to rack. In early use, to place with extended limbs on a cross. Also with out.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > torture > [verb (transitive)] > on the rack
spread?c1225
fordrawc1380
enginec1405
rack?a1439
stentc1480
streekc1480
draw1481
brake1530
excarnificate1570
excruciate1570
stretch1585
to break on the torture1598
distend1599
tenter1615
tousea1616
tympanize1647
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 266 Nes seinte peter & seinte andreu þerfore istracht onrode. Seint laurenz oðe gridel.
c1390 (?c1350) Joseph of Arimathie (1871) l. 560 Þenne he..on þe cros biholdes; He seiȝ a child strauȝt þer-on stremynge on blode.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. UUUviv Beholde..those blessed armes..which were so..stretched on ye crosse, nowe all starke and styffe.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie ii. xxi After they [the bath-men] haue well pulled and stretched your armes..in such sort that he wyll make your bones too cracke.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xxiv. 310 He hates him that would vpon the wracke, Of this tough world stretch him out longer. View more context for this quotation
1611 G. H. tr. Anti-Coton 41 If hee [this Jesuit] were but a little stretcht by the fingers, a man might learne strange misteries of him.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) v. i. 311 The Duke dare No more stretch this finger of mine, then he Dare racke his owne. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Dryden Indian Emperour v. ii. 57 Fasten the Engines; stretch 'um at their length.
1670 J. Dryden & W. Davenant Shakespeare's Tempest iv. 51 I feel my self as on a Rack, stretch'd out, and nigh the ground, on which I might have ease, yet cannot reach it.
1888 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Robbery under Arms xxiii If a man..was being stretched on the rack.
18. † a. to stretch a halter, to stretch a rope: to be hanged.† b. to stretch (a person, his neck): to hang.† c. intransitive. To be hanged.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > be hanged [verb (intransitive)]
rideeOE
hangc1000
anhangc1300
wagc1430
totter?1515
to wave in the windc1515
swing1542
trine1567
to look through ——?1570
to preach at Tyburn cross1576
stretch?1576
to stretch a rope1592
truss1592
to look through a hempen window?a1600
gibbet1600
to have the lift1604
to salute Tyburn1640
to dance the Tyburn jig1664
dangle1678
to cut a caper on nothing1708
string1714
twist1725
to wallop in a tow (also tether)1786
to streek in a halter1796
to straight a ropea1800
strap1815
to dance upon nothing1837
to streek a tow1895
1592 R. Greene Blacke Bookes Messenger sig. C2v I at last resolutely vowed in my selfe to haue it though I stretcht a halter for it.
1657 N. Billingsley Brachy-martyrologia xxxii. 123 One man for saying he'd believe the Pope No sooner then the devil, stretch'd a rope.
a1708 T. Ward England's Reformation (1710) iv. 72 We our selves..Were in fair way to stretch a Halter.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > hang [verb (transitive)]
hangc1000
anhangOE
forhangc1300
to loll up1377
gallowa1400
twitchc1450
titc1480
truss1536
beswinga1566
trine1567
to turn over1570
to turn off1581
to turn (a person) on the toe1594
to stretch1595
derrick1600
underhang1603
halter1616
staba1661
noose1664
alexander1666
nub1673
ketch1681
tuck1699
gibbet1726
string1728
scrag1756
to hang up1771
crap1773
patibulate1811
strap1815
swing1816
croak1823
yardarm1829
to work off1841
suspercollatea1863
dangle1887
1595 W. S. Lamentable Trag. Locrine ii. ii. 81 Here, good fellow; take it at my command, Vnlesse you meane to be stretcht.
a1652 R. Brome Queen & Concubine iv. iii. 82 in Five New Playes (1659) For fear the Rusticks may presume again To stretch these penitent necks with halter strain.
1701 C. Cibber Love makes Man iv. 44 D. Du. But, pray Sir, were you as Intimate at both Play-houses? Clo. No, stretch 'em!
1775 N.Y. Jrnl. 9 Feb. in F. Moore Diary Amer. Rev. I. 19 ‘Pray, Mr. ——, what is a Tory?’ He replied, ‘A Tory is a thing whose head is in England, and its body in America, and its neck ought to be stretched.’
c1800 Irish Song The night before Larry was stretch'd The boys they all paid him a visit.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > be hanged [verb (intransitive)]
rideeOE
hangc1000
anhangc1300
wagc1430
totter?1515
to wave in the windc1515
swing1542
trine1567
to look through ——?1570
to preach at Tyburn cross1576
stretch?1576
to stretch a rope1592
truss1592
to look through a hempen window?a1600
gibbet1600
to have the lift1604
to salute Tyburn1640
to dance the Tyburn jig1664
dangle1678
to cut a caper on nothing1708
string1714
twist1725
to wallop in a tow (also tether)1786
to streek in a halter1796
to straight a ropea1800
strap1815
to dance upon nothing1837
to streek a tow1895
?1576 Common Condicions sig. Aivv If hee could haue taken me I know that I should stretch.
1596 H. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 231 Two of his charge gave the slip; it was well for them; they might else have stretched with the rest of their companions.
1677 T. D'Urfey Madam Fickle v. 57 Ay, ay, you need not fear, you are a Lord, you'll come off well enough, 'tis we shall stretch for 't.
19. to stretch a point = to strain a point: see strain v.1 11f. Also, in the same sense, †to stretch string (cf. quot. 1579 at sense 16a).In the first quot. 1565 apparently used with somewhat different sense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > outdoing or surpassing > outdo or surpass [verb (intransitive)] > go beyond bounds > beyond one's ordinary bounds
to stretch string1565
to strain a point1596
stretch1766
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Neruus Intendere neruos in re aliqua, to strayne a sinew: to stretche a poy[n]cte: to indeuour to the vttermost of his power.
a1566 R. Edwards Damon & Pithias (1571) sig. Gijv Wyll you not stretche one poynt? to bringe me in fauour agayne?
1575 G. Gascoigne Glasse of Gouernem. ii. iii. sig. Ev Might not a man entreat master Eccho to carry her a present if neede were? Eccho. Sir there is neuer a gentleman in this citie, shall make Eccho stretch a stringe sooner then your selfe, but [etc.].
1576 A. Hall Acct. Quarrell in Misc. Antiq. Angl. (1816) I. 96 If for affection you stretch a string, you cannot be excused.
1687 F. Atterbury Answer Considerations Spirit Luther 22 Yet these same Schoolmen do not stretch the point so far, as to say the Pope has an absolute limited power over these Vows.
1814 W. Scott Waverley III. vi. 78 I am not likely, I think, to ask any thing very unreasonable, and if I did, they might have stretched a point . View more context for this quotation
1861 H. Kingsley Ravenshoe xlii It would be stretching a point to say that Cuthbert was a handsome man.
20. † a. figurative. To exert to the utmost, strain (one's powers). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [verb (transitive)] > exert (one's strength or powers) to the utmost
stretch1612
force1697
1612 W. Symonds Proc. Eng. Colonie Virginia vi. 38 in J. Smith Map of Virginia Their men, women, and children..kindly welcommed vs,..stretching their best abilities to expresse their loues.
a1630 Faithful Friends (1975) iii. iii. 68 Till my vanes And sinews crack Ile strech my vtmost strength.
b. reflexive and intransitive. To strain, press forward, use effort. Also with on.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)] > strive or struggle
hiec888
to stand inc1175
wrag?c1225
wrestle?c1225
stretcha1375
strivec1384
pressc1390
hitc1400
wring1470
fend15..
battle1502
contend?1518
reluct1526
flichter1528
touse1542
struggle1597
to lay in1599
strain?1606
stickle1613
fork1681
sprattle1786
buffet1824
fight1859
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself or make an effort [verb (intransitive)]
tillc897
stightlea1375
stretcha1375
wrestlea1382
to put it forthc1390
to put one's hand(s) to (also unto)a1398
paina1400
takea1400
to do one's busy pain (also care, cure, diligence)?a1430
to make great force?c1450
makec1485
to stir one's stumpsa1500
to bestir one's stumps1549
to make work1574
put1596
bestira1616
operate1650
to lay out1659
to be at pains1709
exerta1749
tew1787
maul1821
to take (the) trouble1830
to pull outc1835
bother1840
trouble1880
to buck up1890
hump1897
to go somea1911
the world > action or operation > endeavour > [verb (reflexive)] > strive
afforcec1300
forcec1340
perforce1490
stretch1526
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > forward movement > move forward [verb (reflexive)] > with effort or urgency
stretch1526
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 219 Þemperour..folwed as stiffuly as is stede miȝt strecche on to renne.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Phil. iii. 13 I forget that which is behynde me, and stretche my silfe [Gk. ἐπεκτεινόμενος] vnto that which is before me.
1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Cviij If by labour and earnest trauaile, they will stretche to attein that whereunto thei are apt.
1744 J. Wesley & C. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) ii. 132 And every Limb and every Joint Stretches for Immortality.
c. to stretch to the oar (or stroke) (rarely trans. to stretch one's oars): to put forth one's strength in rowing; also figurative. Also, to stretch out.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > propelling boat by oars, paddle, or pole > [verb (intransitive)] > row > row in specific manner or style
sheave1611
to pull away1676
paddle1697
to stretch one's oars1697
to stretch to the oar (or stroke)1697
to row dry1769
to stretch out1836
screw1866
bucket1869
to pull one's weight1878
sky1881
to wash out1884
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis v, in tr. Virgil Wks. 332 To bear with this, the Seamen stretch their Oars.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis v, in tr. Virgil Wks. 334 Tug the lab'ring Oar; Stretch to your Stroaks, my still unconquer'd Crew.
1725 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey III. xii. 265 Their oars they seize, Stretch to the stroke, and brush the working seas.
1820 W. Scott Let. 30 Mar. (1934) VI. 163 He must stretch to the oar for his own credit as well as that of his friends.
1836 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz 1st Ser. II. 189 Why don't your partner stretch out?
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xviii. 51 [We] were returning, stretching out well at our oars.
1846 A. Young Naut. Dict. 328 Stretch out! an order to a boat's crew to pull strong.
d. Of a horse, etc. to stretch out into a gallop, to be stretched out at a gallop.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by speed or gait > [verb (intransitive)] > gallop
wallop?a1400
gallopc1515
coursea1533
to course it1633
to be stretched out at a gallop1890
1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Colonial Reformer II. xix. 138 The roused animal commenced to stretch out into a gallop.
1896 ‘H. S. Merriman’ Sowers i His little Cossack horse..was stretched out at a gallop.
VI. To lengthen or widen by force.
21.
a. transitive. To lengthen or widen (a material thing) by force; to pull out to greater length or width; to enlarge in girth or capacity by internal pressure. Also in figurative context.Now the most prominent sense; in early use rare and perhaps contextual (cf. 16), chiefly with adverbs abroad, out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > expansion or enlargement > expand or enlarge [verb (transitive)] > distend > stretch
reamc1275
stretch1398
rack1565
reach1648
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) xi. ii. 385 A stronge blaste of wynde..blowyth and stretchyth bledders by entrynge.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 738/2 I stretche out a length, jalonge. Stretche out this corde a lengeth.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Stretche abrode, dilato.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII ii. iii. 33 And which guifts..the capacity Of your soft Chiuerell Conscience, would receiue, If you might please to stretch it. View more context for this quotation
1632 S. Marmion Hollands Leaguer ii. v. F 2 Gentlemen, You'l breake your wits with stretching them.
1680 J. Dryden in J. Dryden et al. tr. Ovid Epist. Pref. sig. a3 I suppose he [a translator] may stretch his Chain to such a Latitude, but by innovation of thoughts, methinks he breaks it.
1687 F. Atterbury Answer Considerations Spirit Luther 32 He is a very Procrustes in his way: what~ever he meets of other men's, he unmercifully either stretches, or curtails, till he has made it exactly of a size with his own notions.
1691 J. Hartcliffe Treat. Virtues 69 If the Stomach be stretched beyond its..true extent, it will [etc.].
1751 T. Stack tr. R. Mead Med. Precepts viii. 172 Her belly was so vastly stretched with water, that I pronounced the case incurable.
1843 C. Holtzapffel Turning & Mech. Manip. I. 421 Little risk of stretching the plates, if the work be delicately performed.
1843 in Newton's London Jrnl. Conjoined Ser. 25 373 Machinery or apparatus..for stretching certain fibrous materials.
1862 J. Ruskin Unto this Last i. 4 It might be shown, on that supposition, that it would be advantageous to roll the students up into pellets, flatten them into cakes, or stretch them into cables.
1889 Harper's Mag. Mar. 623/2 My business..is to stretch new boots for millionaires.
b. To open wide (the eyes, mouth, nostrils).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > nose > [verb (transitive)] > nostril
stretch1600
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > mouth > [verb (transitive)] > open
undoa1000
stretch1600
gape1608
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > eye > [verb (transitive)] > move eyes > open eye
undoa1000
unseel1530
severa1586
unseala1586
stretch1600
unglue1606
unsile1628
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V ii. ii. 54 If litle faults..should not bee winked at, How should we stretch our eye, when capitall crimes..appeare before vs.
1605 1st Pt. Jeronimo sig. Aiii Then let him..Stretch his mouth wider, with big swolne phrases.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) iii. i. 15 Now set the Teeth, and stretch the Nosthrill wide. View more context for this quotation
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward I. viii. 220 Looking as if he were stretching his eyes to see into futurity.
c. colloquial. To eke out (food), esp. to serve a greater number of people than originally intended.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > providing or receiving food > feed or nourish [verb (transitive)] > eke out food
stretch1923
1923 Chambers's Jrnl. Christmas 858/2 The problem of how to stretch a supper made for two to fit three.
1951 H. MacInnes Neither Five nor Three xiii. 184 She began worrying how far she could stretch the beef stew now simmering on the stove.
1974 N. Freeling Dressing of Diamond 80 She had made stuffing for the trout, to stretch them a bit.
1977 C. McCarry Secret Lovers viii. 98 She wondered if I was free to have dinner at her house... They were having something that the cook could stretch for three.
d. Cinematography. To adapt (a silent film) for projection on sound equipment by duplicating alternate frames so that the speed of action is not distorted.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > cinematography > filming > special techniques > [verb (transitive)]
matte1928
kinescope1949
sound-track1949
stretch1953
endistance1961
colourize1987
1953 L. J. Wheeler Princ. Cinematogr. v. 145 Many occasions arrive when it is desirable to ‘stretch’ an original negative, that is, assuming an old, silent negative, is required to be printed into a sound film.
1965 Listener 11 Feb. 231/3 If a silent film (sixteen frames/sec.) is projected on a sound projector (twenty-four frames/sec.), the action appears too fast. To rectify this, silent films are sometimes ‘stretched’ by making a special print in which every other frame is printed twice.
1969 Observer 26 Jan. 7/4 The technique of stretching them [sc. silent films] to run at 24 or 25 frames a second..has been known and used for very many years.
1976 Oxf. Compan. Film 664/2 Makers of compilation films often incorporate old footage without stretching it, with the result that modern audiences have come to regard all silent film as comic.
e. Engineering. To increase the capability or power of (an aircraft, power plant, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > construction and servicing aircraft or spacecraft > construct and service aircraft or spacecraft [verb (transitive)] > increase capability of
stretch1960
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > machines which impart power > engine > operate engine [verb (transitive)] > increase power or efficiency
to hot up1920
soup1931
stretch1960
1960 New Scientist 30 June 1640/1 Engine power again was an essential factor in stretching the Viscount.
1967 Economist 8 July p. xxvi/3 The newest Gardener engine now runs at 1,800 rpm to give 180 bhp—still with remarkable fuel economy. This is near the far limit to which the engine can be stretched without supercharging.
1979 Nature 19 July 187/3 Why is it necessary to scale up to 1,300 MW? Doesn't the ability to replicate and perhaps stretch the 250 MW Dounreay prototype fast reactor give sufficient insurance against the risk of long-term uranium scarcity?
22. figurative.† c. To extend the duration of. Obsolete (? nonce-use.)
a. To enlarge or amplify beyond proper or natural limits; to extend unduly the scope or application of (a law, rule, etc.) or the meaning of (a word).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > misuse > [verb (transitive)] > misapply > apply or use beyond its province
overstretcha1425
to put, set, stretch, etc. on (the) tenter(sa1533
stretch1553
to put, set, strain, stretch on the tenterhooks1583
outstretch1597
strain1597
tenter1611
overdraw1889
1553 Prymmer or Bk. Priuate Prayer sig. P.vv That they [sc. landlordes] remembryng them selues to be thy tenauntes, may not racke and stretche oute ye rentes of their houses and landes.
1580 E. Spenser Let. to G. Harvey in Poet. Wks. (1912) 611/2 Heauen, beeing vsed shorte as one sillable, when it is in Verse, stretched out with a Diastole, is like a lame Dogge that holdes vp one legge.
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 415 b The speech of Peter in this whole Epistle, ought not in any wise be stretched to the paynes of Purgatory.
1631 in S. R. Gardiner Rep. Cases Star Chamber & High Comm. (1886) 8 Then he delivereth over the goods..they were stretched in value already.
1698 R. South 12 Serm. III. 154 To Love an Enemy is to stretch Humanity as far as it will go.
1746 H. Walpole Let. to H. Mann 15 Apr. The judge..told her he wished he could stretch the law to hang her.
1764 O. Goldsmith Traveller 19 When contending chiefs blockade the throne, Contracting regal power to stretch their own.
1848 J. S. Mill Princ. Polit. Econ. II. iii. xxiii. §3. 183 In speculative times, money-dealers..are inclined to extend their business by stretching their credit.
1878 O. W. Holmes John Lothrop Motley: Mem. ii. 15 The rules of the Phi Beta Kappa Society..were stretched so as to include him.
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 471 This reflex hypothesis has been stretched to explain cases following tonsillitis or disturbances of other organs.
1915 Hartland in Man XV. 126 Thus, to refer to mana as ‘divine energy’ is stretching the word unwarrantably.
b. absol. To stretch one's ordinary rule, ‘launch out’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > outdoing or surpassing > outdo or surpass [verb (intransitive)] > go beyond bounds > beyond one's ordinary bounds
to stretch string1565
to strain a point1596
stretch1766
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. xi. 170 He bespoke also a dozen of their best wine..Adding with a smile, that he would stretch a little for once.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > have duration [verb (transitive)] > cause to endure, sustain, or prolong
lengOE
drawOE
teec1200
forlengtha1300
lengtha1300
drivec1300
tarryc1320
proloynec1350
continuec1380
to draw alonga1382
longa1382
dretch1393
conservea1398
to draw (out) in, into, at, or on lengtha1400
prorogue1419
prolongc1425
aroomc1440
prorogate?a1475
protend?a1475
dilate1489
forlong1496
relong1523
to draw out1542
sustentate1542
linger1543
defer1546
pertract1548
propagate1548
protract1548
linger1550
lengthen1555
train1556
detract?a1562
to make forth (long, longer)1565
stretch1568
extend1574
extenuate1583
dree1584
wire-draw1598
to spin out1603
trail1604
disabridge1605
produce1605
continuate1611
out-length1617
spin1629
to eke out1641
producta1670
prolongate1671
drawl1694
drag1697
perennate1698
string1867
perennialize1898
1568 T. Howell Arbor of Amitie f. 10v I cursse eche lingring howre of day, my bloudie woundes to stratch.
d.
(a) To exaggerate in narration; chiefly absol. (colloquial).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > exaggeration, hyperbole > exaggerate [verb (transitive)] > in expression
amplifya1400
overtell1511
over-English1600
overspeak1611
stretch1674
romance1730
oversay1790
overstate1792
1674 Govt. Tongue xi. 200 What an allay do we find to the credit of the most probable event, that it is reported by one who uses to stretch?
1678 T. D'Urfey Trick for Trick i. i. 10 But I must confess t'ee, under the Rose here, I did stretch a little, as a good teller of a Story shou'd.
1711 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 1 Dec. (1948) II. 426 The fifteen images that I saw were not worth forty pounds, so I stretched a little when I said a thousand.
1883 Harper's Mag. Apr. 658/2 They call anything that is ‘stretched’ a Yankee story.
1884 ‘M. Twain’ Adventures Huckleberry Finn i. 17 There was things which he stretched, but mainly he told the truth.
(b) In colloquial phrase to stretch it (or things): to go too far, to go beyond the limits of credibility; to exaggerate.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > exaggeration, hyperbole > speak or do with exaggeration [phrase]
to go beyond the moon?c1430
to cast beyond the moon1559
to lay on load?1562
to lay it on with a trowela1616
all (his) geese are swans1621
to draw (also pull, shoot) the long bow1667
to lay it on thick1740
to sling (also fling, throw) the hatchet1778
to come it1796
to make a thing about (also of)1813
to draw with the long-bow1823
to pitch it strong1823
to overegg the pudding1845
to put (spread, etc.) it on thick1865
to god it1870
to strong it1964
to stretch it (or things)1965
1965 M. Allingham Mind Readers xx. 212 Rightie ho. If you say so. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine but that's stretching it.
1974 M. Hastings Dragon Island xi. 96 ‘I can't believe that by some chance Jones found himself with two people in whom he had special interest.’ ‘That would be stretching it.’
1975 R. Stout Family Affair ix. 83 Everyone in Washington is connected..with Watergate. That's stretching it, but not much.
1980 R. Hill Killing Kindness v. 46 It's stretching things a bit... Still, it's worth checking.
e. colloquial. To cause (someone) to exert himself to the utmost of his talents or abilities, esp. with regard to learning or employment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [verb (transitive)] > make a person exert himself
stretch1951
1951 C. Morgan Breeze of Morning i. v. 25 I had found that he always ‘stretched’ me in the way I liked, and gave me confidence by having such unswerving confidence in himself.
1960 C. Day Lewis Buried Day i. 23 Under such conditions, an only child may become precocious, stretching himself unnaturally to meet the adult world on its own terms.
1968 Guardian 21 Nov. 10/5 He is satisfied by being a bishop; he says he felt a need to be stretched by some equally big job.
1978 D. Devine Sunk without Trace iv. 36 I hear good reports of your work... I fear, however, we're not stretching you enough.
1983 Times 8 Jan. 3/8 Local education authorities..could ensure..that the curriculum suited and stretched all children.
23.
a. intransitive. To be or admit of being forcibly lengthened or dilated without breaking.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > expansion or enlargement > expand or enlarge [verb (intransitive)] > distend > stretch
reacha1387
stretch1485
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of stretching body > stretch oneself or be stretched [verb (intransitive)] > be stretched forcibly without breaking
stretch1485
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > pliableness > be pliable [verb (intransitive)] > be elastic > admit of being stretched
stretch1485
1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. mij/2 The vaynes of hys necke braken a sondre, and the synewes of his body stratcheden.
?1537 R. Benese Bk. Measurynge Lande sig. Aiij A corde or a lyne..wyl.. somtyme streche longer by long dryeth.
1558 W. Ward tr. G. Ruscelli Secretes Alexis of Piemount f. 30 Ye shall cause the skinne to stretche, and come to his place, as it was before.
1597 E. S. Discouerie Knights of Poste sig. B4v Conscience,..I tell you their consciences are like chiuerell skins, that will stretch euery way.
1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall xxiv. 191 The inner Membrane that involv'd the several Liquors of the Egge, because it would stretch and yield, remain'd unbroken.
1871 B. Taylor tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust II. i. iii. 37 Think, the thread won't stretch forever! Have a care! it might be broken.
1872 W. Pole Iron 60 If we attach one end of a bar of iron to the ceiling, and hang a weight to the other end, the bar will stretch.
b. Jazz. To play without restraint, esp. in a solo. Const. out.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform music [verb (intransitive)] > specific style or technique > in jazz
go1926
ride1929
swing1931
tear1932
to play (it) straight1933
groove1935
riff1935
give1936
jumpc1938
to beat it out1945
walk1951
cook1954
move1955
wail1955
stretch1961
1961 N.Y. Times Mag. 25 June 39/3 When a cat stretches out, he can make the moon on his own thrust or horn.
1962 Down Beat 5 July 35/3 I heard this group in person, at the Village Gate, and they stretched out.
1968 Crescendo June 12/2 Everybody really had a chance to stretch out and play what and how they wanted to.
VII. Senses relating to stretchable fabric.
24. Used attributively or as adj. to designate various (usually synthetic) fibres or fabrics which are elastic or capable of stretching, and garments, etc. (which may stretch to provide close fitting) made from them. Occasionally absol. as n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > thread or yarn > [adjective] > elastic or stretch
stretch1956
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [adjective] > other
smalleOE
lightc1230
round1402
side-necked1430
wanton1489
Spanish1530
tucked1530
lustya1555
civil1582
open-breasted1598
full1601
everlasting1607
sheeten1611
nothinga1616
burly1651
pin-up1677
slouching1691
double-breasted1701
negligée1718
translated1727
uniform1746
undress1777
single-breasted1796
unworn1798
mamalone1799
costumic1801
safeguard1822
Tom and Jerry1830
lightweight1837
fancy dress1844
wrap-1845
hen-skin1846
Mary Stuart1846
well-cut1849
mousquetaire1851
empire1852
costumary1853
solid1859
spring weight1869
Henri II1870
western1881
hard-boiled1882
man-of-war1883
Henley1886
demi-season1890
Gretchen1890
toreador1892
crossover1893
French cut1896
drifty1897
boxy1898
Buster Brown1902
Romney1903
modistic1907
Peter Pan1908
classic1909
Fauntleroy1911
baby doll1912
flared1928
flare1929
tuck-in1929
unpressed1932
Edwardian1934
swingy1937
topless1937
wraparound1937
dressed-down1939
cover-up1942
Sun Yat-sen1942
utility1942
non-utility1948
sudsable1951
off-the-shoulder1953
peasant1953
flareless1954
A-line1955
matador1955
stretch1956
wash-and-wear1959
layered1962
Tom Jones1964
Carnaby Street1965
Action Man1966
Mao-style1967
wear-dated1968
thermal1970
bondage1980
swaggery1980
hoochie1990
mitumba1990
kinderwhore1994
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric made from specific material > made from man-made fibres > [adjective] > synthetic > specific
rayon1929
stretch1956
Lycra1958
Qiana1968
modacrylic1969
Crimplene1970
Dralon1978
1956 Jrnl. Textile Inst. 40 280 A stretch yarn in which the deformation is produced by suitable combinations of heat-setting and twisting.
1957 Times 18 Nov. 11/4 Ties..by Jacques Fath with matching nylon stretch socks.
1959 Times 12 Jan. 11/3 Courtauld's process to obtain resilient stretch-nylon yarn.
1961 Listener 16 Nov. 825/2 My favourite example comes from a very modish American magazine... ‘As contemporary..as C. P. Snow and stretch-pants.’
1962 Guardian 23 Feb. 8/5 Until recently I had never found a fine stretch which did not ladder quickly.
1963 Harper's Bazaar Jan. 50 Stretch slacks and cardigan in gold and silver.
1963 Daily Mail 24 Aug. 5/1 (advt.) 100% Nylon Stretch Tights.
1963 Economist 7 Sept. 840/2 The most promising..growth area..is..in ‘stretch’ fabrics.
1964 Woman 18 Jan. 13 Keep your stretch pants slender.
1968 Vogue 15 Apr. 60 Snug-topped bubble dress..of sun red stretch.
1972 Times 22 May 10/2 Too-tight stretch nylon socks cause many foot troubles.
1977 ‘J. Fraser’ Hearts Ease in Death xiv. 166 The chair..was fitted with one of those cheap stretch covers with a large floral pattern.
1978 J. Gores Gone, no Forwarding xiii. 76 A wide-hipped woman in red stretch slacks.
1980 Times 19 Feb. 8 The now obligatory stretch fabrics.
Compounds
stretch-bench n. Leather Manufacturing a bench on which the stretching of hides is performed.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > equipment for working with skins or leather > [noun] > for stretching hides or leather
softening iron1839
stretcher1839
stock-stone1875
stretcher-bar1883
stretch-bench1897
stretching-board1976
1897 C. T. Davis Manuf. Leather (ed. 2) xli. 543 The stretching is also performed by hand on the stretch~bench.
stretch forming n. Mechanics a process in which sheet metal under tension is shaped by the pressure of a punch to the required contour.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > [noun] > pressing or drawing
presswork1896
pressworking1896
cupping1921
extrusion1921
extruding1930
stretch forming1951
1951 Archit. Rev. 109 166/1 It can be spun into a bell-like shape, or it can be shaped on a stretch-forming machine, which pulls it into shape over a former.
stretch-form v. (transitive) .
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > press, draw, etc.
stretch-form1942
1942 Iron Age 4 June 49 (heading) Stretch-forming contoured sheet metal aircraft parts.
1951 G. Sachs Princ. Sheet-metal Fabricating v. iii. 470 In most instances a part is stretch-formed from a rectangular blank.
1973 J. G. Tweeddale Materials Technol. II. iv. 85 (caption) Stretch forming a curved shape.
1973 J. G. Tweeddale Materials Technol. II. iv. 85 Stretch forming uses a principle that involves applying a uniaxial tension to a thin plate,..and then pushing a controlled shape progressively into the surface of the tensioned sheet.
stretch-gut n. (see quot. 1673-8).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > appetite > excessive consumption of food or drink > [noun] > gluttony > glutton
glutton?c1225
glutc1394
globberc1400
glofferc1440
gluttoner1482
gourmanda1492
ravener1496
belly1526
golofer1529
lurcher1530
cormorant1531
flesh-fly1532
full-belly1536
belly-godc1540
flap-sauce1540
gourmander1542
gully-gut1542
locust1545
glosser1549
greedy-guts1550
hungry gut1552
belly-slave1562
fill-belly1563
grand paunch1569
belly-paunch1570
belly-swainc1571
trencher-slave1571
slapsauce1573
gorche1577
helluo1583
gormandizer1589
eat-all1598
engorger1598
guts1598
guller1604
gourmandist1607
barathrum1609
eatnell1611
snapsauce1611
Phaeacian?1614
gutling1617
overeater1621
polyphage1623
tenterbelly1628
gut-head1629
stiffgut1630
gobble-guts1632
gulist1632
polyphagian1658
fill-paunch1659
gype1662
gulchin1671
stretch-gut1673
gastrolater1694
gundy-gut1699
guttler1732
gobbler1755
trencher-hero1792
gorger1817
polyphagist1819
battenera1849
stuff-guts1875
chowhound1917
gannet1929
Billy Bunter1939
guzzle-guts1959
garbage can1963
foodaholic1965
1673–8 A. Littleton Linguæ Latinæ Liber Dictionarius Saturio, a stretch-gut, an over-eater.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > roguery > rogue > [noun] > worthy of hanging
wickhals?a1400
crack-rope?a1500
stretch-hemp1532
man of death1535
slip-string1546
waghalter1546
hang-rope1570
rope-ripe1570
crack-halter1573
hempstring1573
wag-string1578
stretch-halter1583
gallows1598
halter-sack1598
wag-with1611
roper1615
gallows-climber1668
hang-string1675
gallows-face1725
gallows-bird1785
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > roguery, knavery, or rascalry > [noun] > rogue, knave, or rascal > worthy of hanging
wickhals?a1400
crack-rope?a1500
widdieneck?a1500
widdiefu?a1513
thevis neka1525
stretch-hemp1532
man of death1535
slip-string1546
waghalter1546
ropeful1567
gallows-clapper1570
hang-rope1570
rope-ripe1570
crack-halter1573
hempstring1573
wag-string1578
stretch-halter1583
gallows1598
halter-sack1598
wag-with1611
crack-hempa1616
roper1615
halter-sick1617
gallows-climber1668
hang-string1675
hempy1718
gallows-face1725
gallows-bird1785
hang-gallows1785
1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Deuteronomie cxxiii. 759 Thou villaine, thou stretchehalter.
1606 T. Heywood 2nd Pt. If you know not Me (1609) D 2 b I know this is the shop by that same stretch-halter.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > roguery > rogue > [noun] > worthy of hanging
wickhals?a1400
crack-rope?a1500
stretch-hemp1532
man of death1535
slip-string1546
waghalter1546
hang-rope1570
rope-ripe1570
crack-halter1573
hempstring1573
wag-string1578
stretch-halter1583
gallows1598
halter-sack1598
wag-with1611
roper1615
gallows-climber1668
hang-string1675
gallows-face1725
gallows-bird1785
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > roguery, knavery, or rascalry > [noun] > rogue, knave, or rascal > worthy of hanging
wickhals?a1400
crack-rope?a1500
widdieneck?a1500
widdiefu?a1513
thevis neka1525
stretch-hemp1532
man of death1535
slip-string1546
waghalter1546
ropeful1567
gallows-clapper1570
hang-rope1570
rope-ripe1570
crack-halter1573
hempstring1573
wag-string1578
stretch-halter1583
gallows1598
halter-sack1598
wag-with1611
crack-hempa1616
roper1615
halter-sick1617
gallows-climber1668
hang-string1675
hempy1718
gallows-face1725
gallows-bird1785
hang-gallows1785
1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. 715/1 To mocke the sacrament the blessed body of god, and ful like a stretch hempe, call it but cake bred.
1566 T. Drant tr. Horace Medicinable Morall sig. Iij Thou stretche hempe [L. furcifer].
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > [noun] > personified or as an agent
deathOE
dragon?a1513
stinger1552
stretch-legc1560
king of terrors1610
divorcer?1611
reaper1650
raw-bone1784
Small-Back1823
grim reaper1847
the great or last enemy1885
scytheman1909
c1560 Most Fruitf. Treat. Chr. Man i. xxxix. 150 Learne to beware by ye example of other men, vpon whom stretche legge came sodenly and slewe them.
stretch mark n. a linear mark on the skin (esp. of the stomach or thighs) when it has been distended by pregnancy or obesity; = stria n. 2e.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > blemish > [noun] > spot or mark > stretch mark
stria gravidarum1867
stretch mark1960
1960 F. W. Goodrich Maternity iii. 59 The development of ‘stretch marks’ in the skin of the abdomen and thighs is not unusual.
1970 D. Marlowe Echoes of Celandine viii. 143 ‘The marks you see..are not stretch-marks even though I have had three children.’.. She then turned around..revealing scars.. across her thighs.
1972 G. Bourne Pregnancy vi. 110 Stretch marks may occur at puberty on the buttocks and also on the breasts, especially if a girl is overweight.
1980 Family Med. Guide (Royal Soc. Medicine) ix. 210/1 Cushing's syndrome is characterized by..thinning of the skin which may lead to large stretch marks, and a tendency to bruise easily.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > mouth > [adjective] > types of
round-mouthed?1473
shevel?1507
tut-mouthed?a1513
wry-mouthed1552
pouch-mouth1565
plaice-moutha1569
out-lipped1570
pouch-mouthed?a1592
flap-mouthed1594
wide-mouthed1594
plaice-mouthed1595
big-mouthed1602
sparrow-mouthed1611
stretch-moutheda1616
splay-mouthed1647
wry-mouth1652
whale-mouthed1656
out-mouthed1698
spout-mouthed?1711
mickle-mouthed1720
sheveling-gabbit1725
mickle-mouth1863
tenible1871
primped1935
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iv. 197 Some stretch-mouth'd Rascall. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > public or popular punishments > [noun] > punishing by pillory or stocks > pillory or stocks
stocksc1325
pilloryc1330
stocka1382
gofe1489
stretchneck1543
harmans1567
foot trap1585
pigeonholes1592
jougs1596
berlina1607
halsfang1607
gorget1635
cippusa1637
nutcrackers1648
catasta1664
wooden cravat1676
the wooden ruff1677
neck stock1681
wooden casement1685
timber-stairsc1750
Norway neckcloth1785
law-neck-cloth1789
stoop1795
timber1851–4
nerve1854
1543 tr. Ordin. Bakers etc. [c 1300] c. 3 Euery pyllory or stretche-necke [L. collistrigium] must be made of conuenyent strength.
1890 A. Conan Doyle White Company xxi Some of you may find yourselves in the stretchneck, if you take not heed.
stretch receptor n. Physiology a sensory receptor that responds to the stretching of tissue.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > action of nervous system > [noun] > reception or transmission of impulses > receptor of stimuli
chemoreceptor1906
exteroceptor1906
interoceptor1906
nociceptor1906
photoreceptor1906
proprioceptor1906
receptor1906
radioreceptor1922
mechanoreceptor1927
phonoreceptor1934
stretch receptor1936
pressoreceptor1937
thermoreceptor1937
osmoreceptor1946
baroceptor1949
baroreceptor1951
sensor1956
chemosensor1964
the world > life > the body > nervous system > substance of nervous system > [noun] > sensory structure > specific
stretch receptor1936
pressoreceptor1937
1936 C. L. Evans Starling's Princ. Human Physiol. (ed. 7) xxxvii. 906 The lung evidently possesses stretch receptors similar in their responses to those of muscle.
1961 Listener 23 Nov. 858/1 If the animal [sc. an octopus] cannot use information from internal stretch receptors in its muscles, it will not be able to define the relative positions of the sense organs on the suckers that is uses to pick up an object.
1969 J. H. Green Basic Clin. Physiol. ix. 52/2 As one breathes in, the lungs expand, and stretch receptors in the lungs send sensory information up the vagus nerve to the respiratory centre cutting short inspiration.
stretch reflex n. Physiology a reflex contraction of a muscle resulting from the stretching of the same muscle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > structural parts > muscle > [noun] > muscular movement
porrection1649
abduction1657
cringing1728
antagonism1744
peristalsis1847
musculation1853
fibrillation1882
jerk1895
protraction1899
flexing1902
stretch reflex1916
fasciculation1938
sliding filament1957
1916 C. Asayama in Q. Jrnl. Exper. Physiol. 9 278 Quick stretching of tibialis anticus by a sharp pull on its tendon..elicits a reflex contraction of the muscle... It may be termed a stretch-reflex.
1978 B. W. Payton in G. Ross Essentials Human Physiol. ix. 478 Stretch reflexes occur in all muscles but are particularly obvious in those involved in maintaining posture.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musician > instrumentalist > bell-ringer > [noun]
ringerc1425
bell-ringer1543
toller1550
knoller1611
stretch-rope1634
college youth1668
change ringer1756
handbell ringera1802
tintinnabulary1825
tintinnabulist1830
treble-ringer1899
1634 T. Heywood & R. Brome Late Lancashire Witches iii. sig. E3 'Tis some merry conceit of the stretch-ropes the Ringers.
stretch spinning n. (see quot. 1957).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture of thread or yarn > [noun] > spinning > other processes involved in
knocking-off1883
picking1884
stretch spinning1925
1925 U.S. Patent 1,528,219 This extract..prevents adhesion of the filaments in multiple spinning, and thereby greatly promotes ‘stretch spinning’.
1957 Textile Terms & Definitions (Textile Inst.) (ed. 3) 96 Stretch spinning, a process of spinning whereby the filaments are substantially stretched at some stage between extrusion and collection.
stretch-wood n. an apparatus for stretching gloves; a wooden hand upon which a glove is stretched to dry in dyeing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > tailoring or making clothes > making other clothing > [noun] > making gloves > equipment
stretching-sticks1688
stretch-wood1883
1883 R. Haldane Workshop Receipts 2nd Ser. 235/2 The glove [is] then allowed to dry on the stretch-wood.
Draft additions 1993
Broadcasting and Cinematography. To prolong the running time of a programme or film, usually by inserting material or slowing the pace, esp. in order to meet a schedule.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > broadcasting > [verb (transitive)] > prolong running time
stretch1939
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > cinematography > film show > show [verb (transitive)] > prolong running time
stretch1939
1939 J. S. Carlile Production & Direction Radio Programs 371 Stretch, slow up the reading or musical numbers so that the show will finish exactly on time.
1940 E. McGill Radio Directing vi. 104 Make sure that there is available as part of the show some feature or device that may be used to stretch the show if it is too short.
1983 Listener 11 Aug. 34/1 The all-electronic device..is already supplied to broadcasters for ‘squeezing’ programmes into time-slots (for instance, to allow ad breaks in imported BBC-type programmes, or ‘stretching’ edited commercial programmes).
1989 Daily Tel. 5 Jan. 12/3 ‘Colors’ has been stretched for the video market without consulting Dennis Hopper... So long as what was put back into the film was material that he had originally shot, he had no say in what happened to it.
Draft additions 1993
Used attributively or as adj. to designate an airliner or car having an extended seating or storage area, usually in combinations as stretch jet, stretch limo, stretch limousine, stretch plane, etc. Originally and chiefly North American.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > [noun] > with jet engine(s) > types of
superjet1945
twin-jet1946
fan-jet1963
jumbo jet1964
jump jet1964
jumbo1966
super-jumbo1968
tri-jet1968
stretch plane1971
stretch1973
wide-body1979
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > motor car > [adjective] > built with larger or smaller dimensions
stretched1960
stretch1971
downsized1975
upsized1977
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > motor car > [noun] > with separate compartment for driver > stretched
stretch limo1971
stretch1973
1971 Daily Progress (Charlottesville, Va.) 17 Mar. 3 a/2 Sen. William B. Spong Jr., D-Va., has announced a freeze on the number of stretch jets allowed at Washington's National Airport.
1975 Economist 15 Mar. 57/1 The big American airlift, which now involves civilian-piloted Hercules and DC-8 stretch jets..carrying rice, fuel, and ammunition, is largely unaffected.
1982 N. Sedaka Laughter in Rain (1983) iv. xxviii. 217 At last Elton arrived, an hour and a half late, in a large, stretch Caddy limousine.
1984 Fortune 19 Mar. 32/3 Emery is moving fast to protect the business, leasing five refurbished stretch DC-8 cargo planes.
1985 R. Barth Condo Kill xxxviii. 174 A black stretch Fleetwood Cadillac pulled up to the curb.
1986 Daily Tel. 21 Oct. 8/6 Limousines, whether of the ‘stretch’ variety or simply the ordinary sedan, are a common sight in the United States.
1987 E. Leonard Bandits v. 61 He saw the white Cadillac stretch limo.
1987 New Yorker 16 Feb. 42/3 He possesses..a stretch Rolls-Royce (at last report, he was giving it up, as too showy).
1989 D. Francis Hot Money xvii. 239 Being driven round Los Angeles..in a stretch-limousine Malcolm seemed to have hired by the yard.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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