{
    "term": "thread",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "ox5000": true,
    "cefr": "c1",
    "image": "data/images/ro/rope_thread_string.png",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "a thin string of cotton, wool, silk, etc. used for sewing or making cloth",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "a needle and thread"
                },
                {
                    "text": "a robe embroidered with gold thread"
                },
                {
                    "text": "the delicate threads of a spider’s web"
                },
                {
                    "text": "You've pulled a thread in your jumper."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["strong", "delicate", "fine"],
                "… of thread": ["length", "piece"],
                "verb + thread": ["spin", "pull", "cut"],
                "phrases": ["hanging by a thread", "needle and thread"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "an idea or a feature that is part of something greater; an idea that connects the different parts of something",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "A **common thread** runs through these discussions."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The author skilfully draws together the different threads of the plot."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I **lost the thread** of the argument *(= I could no longer follow it)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The speaker **lost his thread** *(= forgot what he wanted to say)* halfway through the talk."
                },
                {
                    "text": "As the film progresses, the threads of the plot slowly begin to unravel."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I found it hard to follow the main thread of his argument."
                },
                {
                    "text": "On studying the different historians' accounts, common threads emerge."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Apart from one or two loose threads, the police now had the complete picture of what happened."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["central", "main", "common"],
                "verb + thread": ["have", "follow", "trace"],
                "thread + verb": ["run through something", "connect", "link"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "a long, thin line of something",
            "sensetop": "thread (of something)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "A thread of light emerged from the keyhole."
                },
                {
                    "text": "a silvery thread of water"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Thin threads of blood glittered on his forehead and cheeks."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "a series of connected messages on email, social media, etc. that have been sent by different people",
            "labels": "(computing)",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [],
            "topics": ["Phones, email and the internet"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["comment", "discussion"],
                "verb + thread": ["open", "start"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "the raised line that runs around the length of a screw and that allows it to be fixed in place by twisting",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 6,
            "definition": "clothes",
            "labels": "(North American English, old-fashioned, informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to be in great danger",
            "examples": [],
            "topics": ["Danger"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to return to an earlier situation or way of life after a period doing something else",
            "examples": []
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/θred/",
                "audio": "th/thread/thread__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/θred/",
                "audio": "th/thread/thread__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Old English thrǣd (noun), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch draad and German Draht, also to the verb throw. The verb dates from late Middle English."
}