Middle English streng, from Old English streng "line, slender cord, thick thread," also a rope, also the string of a bow or harp, which tightly stretched produces the tone; in plural "tackle, rigging;" also "lineage, race." This is from Proto-Germanic *strangiz (source also of Old Norse strengr, Danish streng, Middle Dutch strenge, Dutch streng, Old High German strang, German Strang "rope, cord"). This is reconstructed to be from *strang- "taut, stiff," from a PIE root *strenk- "tight, narrow."
The sense gradually restricted by early Middle English to lines that are smaller than a rope. The meaning "a number of objects arranged in a file or on a string" is recorded by late 15c.; of successes, disasters, etc., "continuous series or succession," by 1710.
The Old English meaning "ligaments, tendons" is preserved in hamstring (n.), heart-strings.
To pull strings "control the course of affairs" (1860) is an image from marionette theater.
The meaning "limitation, stipulation" (1888) is American English, in political jargon, and could be from the (then-)common April Fool's prank of setting down a money-purse as though dropped, then from seclusion tugging it away with a hidden string when someone stoops to pick it up. Hence the figurative phrase no strings attached (by 1951), though this is confusable with the notion of puppet strings.
First string, second string, etc. in athletics (1863) is said to be from archers carrying a spare bowstring in the event the other broke. The figure of have two strings to one's bow "have alternative resources" is in English by 1540s.
Strings "stringed instruments" is attested from mid-14c.; string-band "band composed of stringed instruments" is by 1889, American English. String bean is from 1759, probably so called for its fibrous threads; string bikini is by 1974, for the straps that hold the fabric together.
c. 1400, "fit (a bow) with a string," from string (n.). The meaning "thread (beads, etc.) on a string" is from 1610s. In reference to a musical instrument, "provide with strings," from 1520s (stringed instrument is from c. 1600). General sense of "move in a loose line" is by 1824.
To string (someone) along is slang attested by 1902 and is of uncertain origin. String (v.) in the sense "deceive" is attested in British dialect from c. 1812; perhaps the phrase is ultimately from the musical instrument sense and has a notion of "'tune' someone (for some purpose)." Related: Stringed (later strung); stringing.
1878, geestring, "loincloth worn by an American Indian," originally the string that holds it up, etymology unknown. The spelling with G (1882) is perhaps from influence of violin string tuned to a G (in this sense G string is first recorded 1831), the lowest and heaviest of the violin strings. First used of women's attire 1936, with reference to strip-teasers.
I AM the spirit of the silver "G":
I am silvered sadness,
I am moonlit gladness,
I am that fine madness
Of reverence half, and half of ecstasy
[from "Spirit of the 'G' String," Alfred L. Donaldson, in "Songs of My Violin," 1901]
past tense and past participle of string (v.). From 1680s as an adjective, "threaded, put on a string;" by 1690s as "furnished or fitted with a string." In reference to nerves, feelings, etc., "in a state of tension," from 1840, as in high-strung.
Strung out is from 1902 as "spread out in a straggling line." The slang meaning "addicted" is recorded from 1959, from the figurative sense.
also shoe-string, "string used to draw the sides of a shoe together and hold it firmly on the foot," 1610s, from shoe (n.) + string (n.). As figurative for "a small amount" it is recorded from 1882; hence, as an adjective, "operating at little cost" (1890). As a type of necktie from 1903; as a style of cooked potatoes from 1906.
early 15c., strenger, "one who makes bow-strings" (late 12c. as a surname), agent noun from string (v.). The general sense of "one who arranges on a string" is by 1850.
The meaning "newspaper correspondent paid by length of copy" is from 1950, probably from the earlier figurative sense of "one who strings words together" (1774), a dismissive or contemptuous term for a writer.
