thready

[ thred-ee ]

/ ˈθrɛd i /

adjective, thread·i·er, thread·i·est.

consisting of or resembling a thread or threads; fibrous; filamentous.

stringy or viscid, as a liquid.

(of the pulse) thin and feeble.

(of sound, the voice, etc.) lacking fullness; weak; feeble.

Nearby words

threadfin, threadfish, threadneedle street, threads, threadworm, thready, thready pulse, threap, threat, threaten, threatened species

Origin of thready

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at thread, -y¹

Related forms

thread·i·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for thready

The pulse of the moribund state is nearly always small, very rapid (130-150), and thready, without force or fulness.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I|Various
Here is a version by Mr. Hodgson—how the shrill, thready voice of my dear old nurse rings in my ears, while reading the original!
Dealings With The Dead|A Sexton of the Old School
If he had hurt the man badly, the pulse would have been thready and unsteady.
The Caves of Fear|John Blaine
We all three felt his pulse first—it was distinct, though small and thready, and his heart had its usual beating.
Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers and Other Poems|W.E. Aytoun

The fibers of the maguey fairly flew through his hands, and higher and wider grew the pile of thready stuff at his left.
A Prince of Anahuac|James A. Porter

British Dictionary definitions for thready

thready

/ (ˈθrɛdɪ) /

adjective threadier or threadiest

of, relating to, or resembling a thread or threads

med (of the pulse) barely perceptible; weak; fine

sounding thin, weak, or reedya thready tenor

Derived Forms

threadiness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012