packthread
(ˈpækθrɛd)
Forms: see pack and thread.
[f. as prec. + thread n.]
Stout thread or twine such as is used for sewing or tying up packs or bundles.
| 1341 Durham Acc. Rolls (Surtees) 542 In Paknedel et Paktrede emp. pro lana pakkanda, viijd. 1392–3 Earl Derby's Exped. (Camden) 158 Pro pacthred pro dictis ligandis. 1442 in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) I. 387, xvj Skaynys of grete packethrede for the masons for mesours. 1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. v. i. 47 A beggerly account of emptie boxes,..Remnants of packthred. 1604 T. M. Black Bk. in Middleton's Wks. (Bullen) VIII. 22 Apparelled in villanous packthread. 1712 Addison Spect. No. 407 ¶5 There was a Counsellor who never pleaded without a Piece of Packthread in his Hand. 1865 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. xii. xi. (1872) IV. 239 His big Austrian Heritages..elaborately tied by diplomatic packthread and Pragmatic Sanction. |
| attrib. and Comb. 1720 Lond. Gaz. No. 5868/9 Shift..ruffled with a Packthread striped Muslin with looped Mechlin Edging. 1723 Ibid. No. 6175/6 William Burdock.., Packthread-Spinner. 1863 F. A. Kemble Resid. in Georgia 27 A pack-thread bell-rope. |