Line Meaning
Line Definition & Usage
A continuous mark or band, typically straight, that serves as a boundary or guide.
Examples
- "She drew a straight line across the page with her ruler."
- "The fence marks the line between the two properties."
- "Please stand in a line to board the bus."
- "He followed the line of trees until he reached the end of the path."
- "The artist carefully sketched a line to represent the horizon."
A boundary, limit, or threshold, often used figuratively to describe a moral or social limit.
Examples
- "They crossed the line when they started making personal attacks."
- "He was careful not to step over the line with his jokes."
- "There is a fine line between being assertive and being rude."
- "The project is still in the early stages, but we're getting close to the finish line."
- "You’ve crossed the line by lying to your friends."
To draw, mark, or create a line on a surface or boundary.
Examples
- "She lined the paper with a ruler before drawing the shape."
- "The teacher asked the students to line the pages with numbers."
- "Please line the shelves with clean paper before placing the books."
- "They lined the streets with banners for the parade."
- "The coach asked the players to line up along the field."
A row or series of people, objects, or events, often implying order or progression.
Examples
- "There was a long line outside the concert hall."
- "She waited in line for over an hour to get tickets."
- "The book is part of a series, with each volume continuing the story from the previous line."
- "The teacher arranged the students in two lines, one for the boys and one for the girls."
- "The line of cars stretched for miles during the rush hour."
A method or medium of communication, often used in the context of telephones or digital devices.
Examples
- "I need to make a call, but the line is busy."
- "The internet connection was down, and the line was completely cut off."
- "We should stay in touch, so I’ll send you my email and phone line."
- "The customer service representative asked if I was on a secure line."
- "The train's announcement came through the loudspeakers, which had a clear line."
Cultural Context
The word 'line' has a long history, originating from Latin 'linea', meaning a string or thread. It evolved into multiple uses, from simple physical marks to abstract concepts representing boundaries, sequences, and connections.
The Line That Divides
Story
The Line That Divides
In a small town known for its winding streets and warm-hearted people, there was a particular line that divided two factions: the Old Street residents and the New Street dwellers. The line wasn’t a physical one, but a boundary shaped by history, culture, and rivalry. The Old Street residents believed they held the traditions and wisdom of the past, while the New Street dwellers were more modern and innovative, often criticized by the older generation for disregarding the old ways. At the heart of this divide was Clara, a young artist who had grown up on Old Street. Clara had always felt torn between the two worlds, but it wasn’t until she started painting murals that she realized how deeply the town was divided by invisible lines. She decided to use her art to unite the two sides, starting with a mural that would depict both streets meeting at the town square. As Clara sketched the design, she reflected on how 'lines' could represent so many different things in her life. The line she was drawing would physically separate the old and new, but she hoped it would also symbolize the connection between the two. Meanwhile, the residents of Old Street believed they were maintaining their traditions, wary of the influence of the New Street dwellers who had started modernizing the town. 'We’ve crossed the line,' grumbled Mr. Jenkins, an old shopkeeper on Old Street. 'These new ideas are ruining everything.' One day, Clara stood at the center of the town square, where both sides of the line would meet. She invited both sides to see her mural. When they saw how it brought together elements of both old and new, something changed. Mr. Jenkins, who had been the most vocal critic of the modern ways, walked up to the mural and traced his finger along the line Clara had painted. 'This line... it connects us, rather than divides us,' he said thoughtfully. By the end of the day, the 'line' that had once been a symbol of division became a symbol of unity, showing that sometimes, crossing the line could lead to something beautiful and whole. Clara had drawn more than just a mural; she had drawn the people together. The mural became a reminder that lines—whether physical, moral, or conceptual—can be redefined, and that crossing them doesn’t always lead to division. Sometimes, it leads to connection.
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