STRING  , a

general term for thin cord, or stout thread, a line or cord on which objects are strung . The O . Eng. word is streng, cf . Dan. streng, Ger . Strang, and meant that which is strongly or tightly twisted; it is related to "strong," and is to be referred to the root seen also in Lat. stringere, to draw tight, whence "stringent" and "strict," and in Gr. orparyaXrl, a halter, whence comes " strangle," to choke, throttle . The word is particularly used of the cord of a bow, and of the stretched cords of gut and wire upon a musical instrument, the vibration of which produces the tones (see STRINGED INSTRUMENTS below) . In architecture the term " string-course is applied to the projecting course or moulding running horizontally along the face of a building .