Forms: 1 streccan, 3 strecchen, 3–6 strec(c)he, 4 strecce, strechche, 4–5 strech, 4–7 stretche, 5 strac(c)he, 5–6 stratche, 6 stratch, streych, 6–7 streache, streatch, 7 streach, 4– stretch. Pa. t. α. 1 strehte, 3 stræhte, streahte, strehte, streizhte, streþte, 3–4 streihte, 4 streiȝt(e, streyght(e, streyt, 4–5 streight(e, streyȝt(e, streght(e; β. 3–4 strahte, 4 straughte, strawght, strawhte, strawte, 4–5 straght(e, strauȝt(e, strauhte, strawȝte, 4, 6–7 straucht, 5 strawcht, 5, 7 straught; γ. 4 stretchide, 4–5 stretchid, 5 stratched, strechid, 6 streched, 6–7 strecht, 6–8 stretcht, 5– stretched. Pa. pple. α. 2–3 istreiht, 3 ystreith, 4 streyhte, 4–5 (i)streiȝt, 4–5 streight(e, streiht, 5 streght, ystreight, (Sc. strecht); β. 2–4 istraht(e, 3–5 straught, 4 straȝt, (i)straut, strawght, 4–5 (i)strauȝt, 5 Sc. straucht, 6 strauth; γ. 4 strecchid, stretchid, 5 stracched, 6–7 stretcht, 5– stretched. See also I-STRETCH, STREEK vbs. [Com. WGer.: OE. stręccan = OFris. strekka, MLG., MDu. strecken (mod.Du. strekken), OHG. strecchen (MHG., mod.G. strecken); the MSw. sträkkia (mod.Sw. sträcka), Norw. strekkja, strekka, Da. strække are from LG. The WGer. type is *strakkjan, f. *strakko- straight, rigid, stiff (MLG., MDu., mod.Du strak, OHG. stracch, mod.G. strack), whence *strakkǣjan (OHG. stracchēn) to have extension, be spread out. The root may be a metathetic var. of that found in STARK a.; the OE. stræc, strec, strǽc, severe, harsh, is perh. unconnected.]
I. To place at full length.
1. trans. To prostrate (oneself, one’s body); to extend (one’s limbs) in a reclining posture; refl. to recline at full length. Also with † along, † down (obs.), out. Phrase, to stretch one’s length.
c. 900. trans. Bæda’s Hist., IV. xxi. He … hine wæs in ʓebed streccende [L. prosternens se] æt lichoman þæs Godes weres.
c. 1200. Vices & Virtues, 63. Þat he lið istreiht upe ðare bare ierðe.
c. 1205. Lay., 25994. He … adun lai bi þan fure & his leomen strahte.
c. 1325. Chron. Eng. (Ritson), 756. So schert he [the stone coffin] was ywroht, Istraht ne myhte he ligge noht.
1387–8. T. Usk, Test. Love, II. xiv. (Skeat), 99. And these wordes sayd, she streyght her on length, and rested a whyle.
c. 1480. Henryson, Fox, Wolf & Cadger, 100. He … strawcht him doun in middis of the way, As he wer deid he feinȝeit him.
1481. Caxton, Godfrey, cciv. 300. They fylle doun flat and stratched in the chirches they kyssed … therthe.
1597. Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., III. i. 10. Why rather [Sleepe] lyest thou in smoakie Cribs, Vpon vneasie Pallads stretching thee. Ibid. (1600), A. Y. L., III. ii. 253. There lay hee stretch’d along like a Wounded knight.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Past., Ecl. i. 5. Stretch’d at Ease you sing your happy Loves.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 10 Nov. 1644. There is a chayre to sleepe in with the leggs stretcht out.
1750. Gray, Elegy, 103. There at the foot of yonder nodding beech … His listless length at noontide would he stretch.
1766. Goldsm., Vicar, xxviii. While I was stretched on my straw.
1794. Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, l. On the hearth were several dogs stretched in sleep.
1799. Wordsw., Poet’s Epit., 59. Here stretch thy body at full length.
1809. Malkin, Gil Blas, VI. i. (Rtldg.), 213. We stretched our length upon the grass, and soon feil fast asleep.
1840. Dickens, Old C. Shop, v. Daniel Quilp … climbed on to the desk … and stretching his short length upon it went to sleep.
a. 1852. M. Arnold, Lines Kensington Gard., 22. Scarce fresher is the mountain sod Where the tired angler lies, stretch’d out.
1874. L. Stephen, Hours in Library (1892), I. vii. 237. He was generally to be found stretched … upon a rug before the fire.
1908. R. Bagot, A. Cuthbert, vii. 77. He stretched himself on his desk-chair.
b. To lay (a person) flat. Also (now dial.), to straighten the limbs (of a dead person); to ‘lay out’ for burial (= STREEK v. 2).
a. 1225. Juliana, 26 (Royal MS.). Þe reue … grede: strupeð hire steort naket & strecheð hire on þe eorðe.
c. 1275. Signs of Death, 8, in O. E. Misc. On flore me þe streccheþ And leyþ þe on bere.
c. 1275. Serving Christ, 6, Ibid. And þolede dom vor his duþe, þat he wes ded strauht.
a. 1375. Joseph Arim., 519. Þe stiward of Eualak … lai streiht on þe feld, striken to þe eorþe.
1612. Shelton, Quix., III. i. (1620), 117. Striking me downe on the place where I yet lie straught.
1697. Dryden, Æneis, V. 495. And by the Stroak of his resistless Hand, [he] Stretch’d the vast Bulk upon the yellow Sand.
1757. W. Wilkie, Epigoniad, III. 67. Andremon first,… Of life bereft, lay stretch’d upon the sand.
1839. Carleton, Fardorougha, vi. Confusion to the ring he’ll ever put an her! I ’d see her stretched [foot-n. dead] first.
1847. Prescott, Peru, IV. v. (1850), II. 341. The struggle lasted for some minutes, till both of Pizarro’s pages were stretched by his side.
1902. S. E. White, Blazed Trail, xxx. He rushed on Dyer, and with one full, clean in-blow stretched him stunned on the dock.
1907. J. H. Patterson, Man-Eaters of Tsavo, v. 51. I … found seven badly injured men lying stretched out on the ground.
† c. To spread out on the ground; to make (a bed). Obs.
a. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Mark xi. 8. Maneʓa hyra reaf on þone weʓ strehton [L. straverunt].
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 3. Heo nomen heore claþes … and strehiten [? read streihten] under þa assa fet.
c. 1475. Partenay, 1005. Forth anon the bede [was] streight And made redy.
† d. Long streight, straught: extended at length.
a. 1366[?]. Chaucer, Rom. Rose, 1021. Hir tresses yelowe, and longe straughten, Unto hir heles doun they raughten. Ibid. (c. 1374), Troylus, IV. 1163. He rist him up, and long streight he hir leyde.
a. 1400. Octouian, 959. Thus they shall lye long straught Or that they go.
1609. J. Davies (Heref.), Holy Rood, A 4 b. Thinke that thou seest him on his face longe straught In Praier, and in Passion sweating Bloud. Ibid. (1611), Sco. Folly, clxvi. 79. O Sweete, deere sweete,… Quoth Citheris (long straught) vnto her deere.
† e. intr. for refl. To fall to the ground; also, to lie down at full length. Obs.
c. 1400. Song Roland, 769. Stedes in that stound strechid to ground.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, xxiv. Stretch down in the stern of that boat, and let me wrap this cloak about thee.
2. To extend (the arms) laterally; to expand (the wings), esp. for flight.
c. 1205. Lay., 28007. Arður þa up aras and strehte his armes.
a. 1240. Ureisun, in O. E. Hom., I. 185. Hwi nam ich in þin earmes. In þin earmes swa istrahte and isprad on rode.
1382. Wyclif, 3 Kings vi. 27. Forsothe the cherubyn strauȝten out her weengis.
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, IV. xxxv. (1869), 194. Aud hadde wynges redy streiht for to flee to þe skyes.
1692. Prior, Ode Imit. Hor., III. ii. 107. Let Fear look back, and stretch her hasty Wing, Impatient to secure a base Retreat.
1742. R. Seagrave, Hymn, Rise, my Soul, and stretch thy Wings.
1814. Cary, Dante, Purg., XI. 39. That ye have power To stretch your wing, which e’en to your desire Shall lift you.
b. Of a tree: To extend (its branches).
1382. Wyclif, Ecclus. xxiv. 22. I as a terebynt streiȝte out [1388 stretchide forth] my braunchis.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 2058. The fyr … That … twenty fadme of brede the armes straughte.
1815. Shelley, Alastor, 562. A pine, Rock-rooted, stretched athwart the vacancy Its swinging boughs.
3. refl. To straighten oneself; to rise to full height († also with up); also, to draw up the body, as from a stooping, cramped or relaxed posture; to straighten the body and extend the arms, as a manifestation of weariness or langor (chiefly coupled with yawn).
c. 1325. Chron. Eng. (Ritson), 772. And a cripel eke anon Ther him strahte ant myhre gon.
c. 1384. Chaucer, H. Fame, 1373. She Hir tho so wonderliche streighte, That with hir feet she therthe reighte, And with hir heed she touched hevene.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, XX. xxi. 836. Than he stratched hym vp & stode nere syr Gauwayn.
1509. Hawes, Past. Pleas., XXXV. (Percy Soc.), 182. He stretched hym up and lyft his axe a lofte.
1550. Lyndesay, Sqr. Meldrum. 374. He lap vpon his Cursour wicht, And straucht him in his stirroppis richt.
1563. Sackville, Induct. Mirr. Mag., xix. I strecht my selfe, and strayt my hart reuiues.
1590. Cobler Canterb., 69. At length the Farmar awoke, and stretching himself, finding he was naked, [etc.].
1602. W. Vaughan, Direct. Health (1626), 165. First of all in the morning when you are about to rise, stretch your selfe strongly.
1639. S. Du Verger, trans. Camus’ Admir. Events, 3. Wrastlers, who stretch themselves up on their feet, so much the stronglier … by how much their adversary is tall.
1714. Mandeville, Fable Bees (1733), II. 340. Stretching ourselves before others, whilst we are yawning, is an absolute breach of good manners.
1829. Scott, Anne of G., x. Yawning and stretching himself like one whose slumbers had been broken by no welcome summons.
1858. Lytton, What will He do? III. iv. Mop [the dog] … rose and stretched himself.
1888. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Robbery under Arms, xxii. Jim soon woke up and stretched himself.
b. intr. for refl.
a. 1586. [see STRETCHING vbl. sb.1].
1614. J. Taylor (Water P.), Nipping Abuses, D 1. The seuenth was Sloth,… Who being cald, did gape, and yawne, and stretch.
1704. Cibber, Careless Husb., V. 62. And by that time you stretcht, and Gap’d him Heartily out of Patience.
c. To stretch one’s legs: to straighten the lower limbs from a sitting position; usually, to relieve by walking the stiffness or fatigue caused by sitting; to take a walk for exercise.
1607. A. Gorges, in Purchas, Pilgrims, X. xiv. (1625), IV. 1951. [We] went ashoare, lo stretch our legs in the Isle of Flores.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., V. 205. I would often fetch a walke, to stretch my legs, that were stilled with a stumbling beast.
1653. Walton, Angler, i. 1. I have stretch’d my legs up Totnam Hil to overtake you.
1779. G. Keate, Sketches fr. Nat. (ed. 2), II. 208. I was glad after so long a confinement, to stretch my legs, and determined to walk home.
1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick., v. Mr. Squeers got down at almost every stage—to stretch his legs, as he said.
1872. Earl of Pembroke & G. H. Kingsley, S. Sea Bubbles, i. 36. About every hour we stopped to change horses, when we took the opportunity to stretch our legs.
1899. Rodway, In Guiana Wilds, 30. Allan … began to feel cramped from remaining so long in one position; he wanted to stretch his legs.
† d. intr. To strut. In quot. with it. Obs.
1619. H. Hutton, Follies Anat., D 4. Cornuted Phœbe, in her coach, doth prance: Bacchus … doth stretch it on the stage.
II. To put forward, protrude.
4. trans. To put forth, extend (the hand, an arm or leg, the neck, head); † to extend, hold out (a weapon, a staff). Also (now almost always) with adv., forth, out, forward.
a. 1000. Ags. Gosp., John xxi. 18. Þonne þu ealdest þu strecst [L. extendes] þine handa.
c. 1205. Lay., 21227. He stræhte scaft stærcne.
a. 1225. Leg. Kath., 2233. Streche forð þine swire scharp sweord to underfonne.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, II. 348. Thai straucht thar speris.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., II. 198. Stretche out þin hond. Ibid. (1382), Exod. x. 13. And Moyses strauȝte out the ȝerde vpon the loond of Egipte.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 195. And thanne hire handes to the hevene Sche strawhte.
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, III. xxxvii. (1869), 155. She … a yens me strauhte hire handes.
1577. Kendall, Flowers of Epigr., 107. His snout was stretched forth.
1579. Gosson, Sch. Abuse (Arb.), 50. God … that stretcheth out his armes from morning to euening to couer his children.
c. 1611. Chapman, Iliad, VII. 164. He stretcht his hand, and into it, the Herald put the lot.
1696. R. H., Sch. Recreat., 68. [Fencing] To Elonge. This is to Streach forward your Right Arm and Leg, and [etc.].
1777. Potter, Æschylus, Prometh. Chain’d, 62. To stretch my supplicating hands.
1784. Cowper, Task, II. 825. So when the Jewish leader stretch’d his arm,… a race obscene … came forth Polluting Egypt.
1804. Abernethy, Surg. Observ., 189. He stretched out his right arm when required.
1812. H. & J. Smith, Rej. Addr., Playho. Musings, 27. These stretch’d forth a pole From the wall’s pinnacle.
1812. Byron, Ch. Har., II. lxviii. The Suliotes stretch’d the welcome hand, Led them o’er rocks and past the dangerous swamp.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. II. vi. Swindlery and Blackguardism have stretched hands across the Channel.
1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick., xiv. The guests … stretched their necks forward and listened attentively.
1847. W. C. L. Martin, The Ox, 132/2. The animal staggers…, its flanks heave, the head is stretched out.
1851. Thackeray, Eng. Hum., i. (1876), 153. His hand was constantly stretched out to relieve an honest man.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. xi. 79. I stretched my hand towards him.
1904. Kath. C. Thurston, J. Chilcote, iii. (1912), 29. Moving straight forward, he paused by the grate and stretched his hands to the blaze.
b. absol. To extend one’s hand, reach for something.
a. 1375. Joseph Arim., 544. Sone þenne he starte vp and streiȝte to his hache.
1775. Goldsm., trans. Scarron’s Com. Romance, II. 149. Whenever they stretched for the holy water, a thousand hands made tenders of their service.
c. intr. Of an arm: To be extended. Obs.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 2957. Of ȝour riȝt arm þat ouer rome streyt, I se wel þe signifiaunce.
1765. Angelo, Sch. Fencing, 7. Which the arm stretches forth in order to thrust, the foot must follow at the same time.
5. To hold out, hand, reach (something). Now only Naut. in phrase (see quot. 1644).
c. 1450. Merlin, xxxii. 639. Than he drough oute a letter … and straught it to the Kynge.
1644. Manwayring, Seamans Dict., 103. When they goe to hoyse a yard, or hale the sheate, they say, stretch fore-ward the Hilliards, or the sheates: that is deliver along that part (which they must hale by) into the mens hands.
1849. Lytton, K. Arthur, VI. xlix. ‘Sir Host,’ said Gawaine, as he stretched his platter, ‘I’ll first the pie discuss, and then the matter.’
† b. fig. (a) To direct (one’s hope, trust) to an object. (b) To hold out, extend (relief) to a person. Obs.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Hom., I. 252. Strece ðærto þinne hiht.
c. 1400. Apol. Loll., 91. Þei þat were helid were not helid sympli bi þe touching, but for þe trust þat þei strechid finaly in to God.
1711. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 184. The potentats of that religion have stood idle … without stretching the least relief.
† 6. To set up (a standard). Obs.
c. 1400. Sege Jerus., 21/385 (E. E. T. S.). He streyȝt up a standard.
c. 1400. Melayne, 1185. All [nyghte on]e þe bent þay bade With standardes euen vp streghte.
† 7. To emit (rays, streams); also intr. of a light, to be emitted in a certain direction. Obs.
c. 1205. Lay., 17886. Þe leome þa strehte west riht a seouen bæmen wes idiht. Ibid., 17978. Þe oðer leome þe strahte [c. 1275 streahte] west wunder ane lihte þat bið a dohter.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 915. And as he [sc. the dragon] tilt out his tung with his tethe grym, He straght fro hym stremes all of styth venym.
c. 1400. Brut, I. 64. By þe beem þat stracchet towarde Irland, is bitokenede þat ȝe shul bigete a douȝter þat shal be quene of Irland.
III. To direct a course.
† 8. To direct (one’s course). Also refl. of a person. Obs.
a. 1225. St. Marher., 9. He [the dragon] strahte him ant sturede toward tis meoke meiden.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 3279. He … streiȝt him in-to the stabul þere þe stede stod.
1390. Gower, Conf., II. 296. He seith noght ones ‘grant merci,’ Bot strauhte him forth to the cite. Ibid., III. 313. Towardes Tharse his cours he straghte.
† b. To direct the course of (a ship, etc.); absol. to steer. Obs.
c. 1205. Lay., 2887. Brecon þa strenges þe he mid strahte & he feol to folde. Ibid., 9750. To Tottenas heo come, strahten scipen to þan londe & eoden uppen stranden.
9. intr. To make one’s way (rapidly or with effort). In later use colored by sense 20 b.
c. 1205. Lay., 27589. His cnihtes … mid muchelere strengðe þurh þat feht stræhten.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., A. 971. To strech in þe strete þou has no vygour. Ibid., B. 905. Loke ȝe stemme no stepe, bot strechez on faste.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 1113. Strecches forþ wiþ ȝour ost, stinteþ no lenger.
1390. Gower, Conf., II. 258. The Sail goth up, and forth thei strauhte.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 1354. Thai … Streght into stretis and into stronge houses.
c. 1430. Chev. Assigne, 220. The grypte eyþur a staffe in here honde & on here wey strawȝte.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., I. 496. Crying Cormorants forsake the Sea, And stretching to the Covert wing their way.
1735. Somerville, Chase, II. 13. Then o’er the Lawn he [the Roe-buck] bounds, o’er the high Hills Stretches secure.
1810. Scott, Lady of L., III. xiii. Stretch onward in thy fleet career!
1860. Thackeray, Lovel, iv. (1861), 156. I stretch over Putney Heath, and my spirit resumes its tranquillity.
1861. Whyte-Melville, Good for Nothing, xxvi. II. 2. Stretching away at the best pace a wiry little Australian horse … can command, rides an Englishman in the normal state of hurry peculiar to his countrymen.
† 10. Of a stream: To run, flow swiftly. Obs.
c. 1205. Lay., 27476. Stræhten after stretes blodie stremes.
11. Naut. To sail (esp. under crowd of canvas) continuously in one direction. Also with advs.
1687. Lond. Gaz., No. 2251/4. The headmost … stretched to Windward, and there lay pecking at us, whilest his Companion was doing the same a Stern.
1726. Shelvocke, Voy. round World, 388. I stretched over for California.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, I. (Globe), 142. Just as I had set my Mast and Sail, and the Boat began to stretch away, I saw [etc.].
1776. Cook, 2nd Voy., III. iii. II. 27. Then we tacked and stretched in for the island till near sun-set.
1809. Collingwood, in Naval Chron., XXII. 502. Our boats stretched out.
1832. Marryat, N. Forster, v. They were stretching off the land.
1845. J. Coulter, Adv. in Pacific, xv. 244. In a few days we put to sea, and stretched away to the northward of this group [of islands].
1884. ‘H. Collingwood,’ Under Meteor Flag, 4. We stretched off the land, close-hauled upon the starboard tack.
IV. To (make to) reach; to give or have a certain extent.
12. trans. To place (something) so as to reach from one point to another, or across an interval in space.
a. with obj. something rigid. Obs. exc. techn.
a. 1225. Juliana, 56 (Royal MS.). Þat axtreo stod istraht on twa half in te twa stanene postles.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 3779. In slepe he say a ladder strauȝt Fro his heed to þe sky hit rauȝt.
1776. G. Semple, Building in Water, 50. On those set-off’s stretch your Plates.
b. To extend (something flexible, e.g., a cord or curtain) from one point to another or across a space, by drawing it out more or less straight.
This may be regarded as a weakening of sense 16, from which it is often indistinguishable.
c. 1430. Pilgr. Lyf Manhode, IV. xxviii. (1869), 191. And aboue was þe mast of þe ship dressed wher vpon heeng þe seyl ystreight.
1481. Caxton, Godfrey, clxxvii. 261. They toke the hydes of the beestes that deyde and stratched them vpon thengynes for to kepe & defende them fro fyre.
1535. Coverdale, Isa. xl. 22. That he spredeth out the heauens as a coueringe, that he stretcheth them out, as a tent to dwell in.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., I. 381. Then Weavers stretch your Stays upon the Weft.
1818. Scott, Br. Lamm., xiv. I ought to have torn away the veil which interested persons had stretched betwixt us.
1832. Brewster, Nat. Magic, iv. 87. A black cloth should be stretched at some distance behind them.
1854. trans. Hettner’s Athens & Peloponnese, 56. The dancers take hands and form a circle; to widen which they sometimes stretch handkerchiefs from hand to hand.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Stretch along a brace, to lay it along the decks in readiness for the men to lay hold of.
1884. J. Marshall, Tennis Cuts, 85. We invented gloves; then we lined those gloves. After that, we stretched gut-strings across the gloves.
1907. J. A. Hodges, Elem. Photogr. (ed. 6), 87. A piece of clothes line, stretched across the room.
† c. To pitch (a tent). Also with out. Obs.
1382. Wyclif, Gen. xxxi. 25. And now Jacob hadde strauȝte [Vulg. extenderat; 1388 stretchid forth] a tabernacle in the hil.
c. 1475. Partenay, 869. Tentes And pauilons streght and pight freshly Besyde a ualey, enmyddes a plain.
1536. Stories & Proph. Scripture, F iv b. Moche wyder hath youre bryde the holy cherche stretched out and picked hyr tente.
1587. D. Fenner, Song of Songs, i. 6. For why should I become like vnto one of those Which doeth stretch out his Tent fast by the flockes of thy fellowes?
† d. To draw out in a straight line. Obs.
1542. Udall, trans. Erasm. Apoph., 7 b. Yf thou stretch ye walkynges that thou vsest at home, & laye theim on length by the space of fiue or sixe dayes together yu shalt easyly reache to Olympia.
13. † refl. (obs.) and intr. (rarely passive). To have a specified extent in space; to be continuous to a certain point, or over a certain distance or area. Also with away, out, off.
In mod. use ordinarily implying a large extent; where this notion is not present the synonym extend is now preferred.
refl. 1423. Coventry Leet Bk. (1907), 50. A feld of Wylliam Wymeswold stretchyng hym-selff vnto a comyn hyȝe-way, þat is callyd the Deed-lane…. The said way, þat is callyd Deed-lane, þat strechithe hym-selff fro the Span-brooke toward the Hill-Crosse.
c. 1460. Oseney Reg., 181. And j. Rodde of londe the wich strecchith hit-Selfe In lambecotestrete By the londe of William Sweyne.
1607. T. Ridley, View Civ. & Eccles. Law, Contents A 1. That the second part hath eight books…. That the third part stretcheth it selfe into eight bookes.
intr. 1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), II. 107. Þe kyngdom of Deyra tillede and streiȝte [L. extendebatur] from þe ryuer of Humber anon to þe ryuere of Tyne.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 137. A tree … Whos heihte straghte up to the hevene.
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), vi. 22. Araby strechez fra þe end of Caldee to þe last end of Affric.
1434. Coventry Leet Bk. (1907), 157. Þe weye that stretcheth fro Cheylesmore Grene vnto Somerlesowe.
1542–3. Act 34 & 35 Hen. VIII., c. 12 § 1. Allso oone litle Lane streatching from the saide waie to the Signe of the Bell at Drewrye Lane ende.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., I. iii. Minorque hath in length 60. miles, & in circuit 150. & to the East stretcheth from Maiorque 30. miles.
1603. J. Davies (Heref.), Microcosmos, Extasie, 238. Her nether Vesture strecht but to her calfe, Yet lower rought then that aboue, by halfe.
1608. Topsell, Serpents, 41. The place must be seared with a hot yron, so farre as the venom stretcheth.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 28 Jan. 1645. Pursuing the same noble [Appian] way … we found it to stretch from Capua to Rome itselfe.
1748. Anson’s Voy., I. vi. (ed. 4), 97. The Andes which skirt it, and stretch quite down to the water.
1788. Mme. D’Arblay, Diary, 13 Feb. Their green benches … stretched … along the whole left side of the Hall.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, v. The dreary perspective of empty pews stretching away under the galleries.
1852. Thackeray, Esmond, I. iii. The London road stretched away towards the rising sun.
1858. Etheridge, Life A. Clarke, I. viii. (ed. 2), 128. The minister’s family were to reside in the apartments on the ground-floor, the school-room stretching over all above.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. vii. 47. A steep slope stretches down to the Mer de Glace.
1894. Blackmore, Perlycross, xviii. 149. Southward stretched the rich Perle valley.
passive. 1652. Needham, trans. Selden’s Mare Cl., 39. Whatsoever is stretcht forth on this side and within Mount Amanus, is the Territorie of Israel.
1867. Lady Herbert, Cradle L., viii. 223. On one side is stretched the great plain of Esdraelon.
b. To have its length in a specified direction. ? Obs.
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), xxxiii. 150. Þe walle … strechez fra þe south toward þe north.
1449. in Cal. Proc. Chanc. Eliz. (1830), II. Pref. 54. The same hous by ground shall have a parclose walle, strecchyng along north and south duryng the seid length of lxvj fete.
1598. W. Phillip, trans. Langenes’ Voy. Ships Holland E. Ind., 11. We put out with a North wind, the Bay stretching Northeast and Southwest.
1697. Dryden, Æneis, XI. 486. A Tract of Land … Along the Tyber, stretching to the West.
c. transf. with reference to time. nonce-uses.
1606. Shaks., Ant. & Cl., I. i. 46. There ’s not a minute of our liues should stretch Without some pleasure now.
1868. Stanley, Westm. Abb., iv. 263. Three statesmen stretch across the first half of the eighteenth century.
1898. Jean A. Owen, Hawaii, iii. 53. The influence of these enterprising navigators is seen stretching on for some hundreds of years.
14. fig. † a. To have a specified measure in amount, degree, power, etc.; to be adequate for some purpose. Obs.
refl. c. 1386. Chaucer, Melib., ¶ 3015. Youre liberal grace and mercy strecchen hem ferther in-to goodnesse, than doon oure outrageouse giltes and trespas in-to wikkednesse.
intr. c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, II. 341. If ye be swich, your beautee may not strecche To make amendes of so cruel a dede. Ibid. (c. 1386), Can. Yeom. Prol. & T., 534. As ferforth as my konnyng may strecche.
1418. E. E. Wills (1882), 43. He will that … his brother … fynde his fadir … with the profitz of the place, as ferre as they wille strecche.
1466. in Somerset Medieval Wills (1901), 210. And if my goodes will streche thereto I will than an honest preest have 9 marcs for a hoole yere to syng.
c. 1572. I. B., Lett. to R. C., A ij. Some … whose vnderstanding can not stretche to a matter of so greate aduice.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, xxxvii. (1887), 143. You would haue your childe learned, but your purse will not streatch.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., I. ii. 62. Fal. Thou hast paid al there. Prin. Yea and elsewhere, so farre as my Coine would stretch.
a. 1648. Ld. Herbert, Hen. VIII. (1683), 372. We will take such Commons as they have at Oxford; Which, yet, if our Purse will not stretch to maintain, for our last refuge we will go a Begging.
† b. To go a certain length in action. Obs.
refl. c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, I. 903. For vertue streccheþ not hym self to shame.
intr. 1550. Harington, trans. Cicero’s Bk. Friendship (1562), 26. Let vs firste see this poinct, howe farre oughte loue to stretche in freendshyp [L. quatenus amor in amicitia progredi debeat].
† c. To have a specified extent or range of action or application. Obs.
refl. c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., V. ii. 490. Tho textis strecchen hem to viciose persoones being out of religioun, as weel as to viciose persoones in religioun.
1559. Homilies, Charity, II. L ij b. Howe charitie stretcheth [earlier edd. extendeth] it selfe, both to God and man, frend and foe.
intr. c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 420. Þis charite of freris schulde streeche to alle gode men.
1423. Rolls of Parlt., IV. 256/1. That this ordynaunce stretche and bere strenketh also wel wyth in Chesshire.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., III. i. 278. Into ferther purpos than in to this purpos now here seid strecchith not eny of the textis now bifore alleggid.
1461. Little Red Bk. Bristol (1900), II. 128. That thes acte strecche not to any mannes wyfe of the Crafte of Wevers nowe levyng.
1531. trans. St. German’s Dial. Doctor & Stud., xlii. 84. If a man … banyshed be restored by the prynce, whether shall that restitucion stretche to the goodes.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 13. He would there should no such power stretch to his successours, therefore he made no mention of them.
1621. Elsing, Debates Ho. Lords (Camden), 125. L. Chamberlaine thinkes the priviledge dothe not stretche to goodes, and they are not to be delivered.
1625. Sir H. Finch, Law (1636), 25. A Statute that maketh it felony to receiue … one that committeth such and such an offence … stretcheth not to a woman that receiueth … her husband in such a case.
1659. Milton, Civil Power Eccl. Causes, 27. The other … makes himself supream lord or pope of the church as far as his civil jurisdiction stretches.
passive. c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 343. For siþ vertue of a kyng mut be strecchid by al his rewme, myche more þe vertue of Crist is comuned wiþ al his children.
a. 1586. Sidney, Apol. Poetrie (Arb.), 58. But I honor philosophicall instructions,… so as they be not abused, which is likewise stretched to Poetrie.
† 15. To tend, be serviceable (to some object).
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 9207. Hit semith me vnsertain, all serchyng of wayes Ys stokyn vp full stithly, shuld streche to my hele!
c. 1412. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 4836. For Cristes sake, so yow gyeth ay, As þat may strecche to your peples ese.
1491. Act 7 Hen. VII., c. 1 § 1. His offence stretchith to the hurt and jopardie of the King.
1587. A. Day, Daphnis & Chloe (1890), 11. And for that her care stretched that the girle … might the sooner be taken and reputed for hers, she … called her Chloe.
1621. True Relat. Exec. Prague, A 3. The Iudgement … should not be executed, but in such a sort as might … stretch to the reputation and authority of the Emperours Maiesty.
V. To tighten by force, to strain.
16. trans. To pull taut; to bring (e.g., a rope, piece of cloth) to a rigid state of straightness or evenness by the application of tractive force at the extremities; to strain.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), III. 211. Ȝif þe streng is i-strauȝt endelonges [L. chorda extensa] uppon þe holownesse of a tree.
c. 1530. Judic. Urines, II. vii. 30 b. Diafragma…. And therfore it is strauth and taught and raeyched oute as it were a testure of clothe.
a. 1535. Fisher, Serm., Wks. (1876), 394. Neuer anye Parchement skynne was more strayghtlye stratched by strength vpon the tentors.
1579. Gosson, Sch. Abuse (Arb.), 57. It behooueth your Honour … too play the Musition, streatch euery string till hee breake.
1590. Lodge, Rosalynde (1592), B. The meane is sweetest melodie, where strings high stretch[t], eyther soone cracke, or quickly grow out of time [? read tune].
1705. Tate, Warriour’s Welcome, xxxiv. Then try your Skill: a well-prim’d Canvass stretch.
1735. Somerville, Chase, II. 268. Each eager Hound exerts His utmost Speed, and stretches ev’ry Nerve.
1763. J. Brown, Poetry & Mus., v. 67. MERCURY was the Inventor of the Lyre; which had but four Strings, and these were stretched on a Turtle’s Shell.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 698. For the convenience of keeping the paper stretched and smooth,… a drawing-board is used.
1883. M. P. Bale, Saw-Mills, 185. Considerable trouble is often found in stretching or tightening large belts on to their pulleys.
† b. To take out (wrinkles) by stretching. Obs.
a. 1541. Barnes, Wks. (1573), 254. Her wryncles bee streatched out.
c. intr. To stretch out: to be made even by straining.
1838. in Newton’s Lond. Jrnl., Conj. Ser. XVI. 68. The cloth is then folded back tightly over the tension rod e, and stretches out smooth in the opposite direction.
17. To pull (a person’s) limbs lengthwise; esp. to torture by so doing, to rack. In early use, to place with extended limbs on a cross. Also with out.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 362. Nes Seinte Peter & Seinte Andrew, þereuore, istreiht o rode, and Seint Lorenz oðe gredil.
a. 1375. Joseph Arim., 560. Þenne he … on þe cros biholdes; He seiȝ a child strauȝt þer-on stremynge on blode.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 257. Beholde … those blessed armes … whiche were so stretched on the crosse, now all starke and styffe.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., II. xxi. After they [the bath-men] haue well pulled and stretched your armes … in such sort that he wyll make your bones too cracke.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., V. 316. The Duke dare No more stretch this finger of mine, then he Dare racke his owne. Ibid. (1605), Lear, V. iii. 315. He hates him, That would vpon the wracke of this tough world Stretch him out longer.
1611. G. H., trans. Anti-Coton, 41. If hee [this Jesuit] were but a little stretcht by the fingers, a man might learne strange misteries of him.
1665. Dryden, Ind. Emp., V. ii. (1668), 57. Fasten the Engines; stretch ’em at their length. Ibid. (1669), Tempest, IV. (1670), 51. I feel my self as on a Rack, stretch’d out, and nigh the ground, on which I might have ease, yet cannot reach it.
1888. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Robbery under Arms, xxiii. If a man … was being stretched on the rack.
18. † a. To stretch a halter, rope: to be hanged.
1592. Greene, Black Bk’s. Messenger, Wks. (Grosart), XI. 22. I at last resolutely vowed in my selfe to haue it though I stretcht a halter for it.
1657. Billingsly, Brachy-Martyrol., xxxii. 123. One man for saying he’d believe the Pope No sooner then the devil, stretch’d a rope.
a. 1708. T. Ward, England’s Reform., IV. (1710), 72. We our selves … Were in fair way to stretch a Halter.
† b. To stretch (a person, his neck): to hang.
1595. Locrine, II. ii. 81. Here, good fellow; take it at my command, Vnlesse you meane to be stretcht.
a. 1652. Brome, Queen & Concubine, IV. iii. (1659), 82. For fear the Rusticks may presume again To stretch their penitent necks with halter strain.
1700. Cibber, Love makes a Man, IV. iv. D. Du. But pray, Sir, were you as intimate at both Play-houses? Clo. No, stretch ’em!
1775. N. Y. Jrnl., 9 Feb., in F. Moore, Diary Amer. Rev., I. 19. ‘Pray, Mr. —, what is a Tory?’ He replied, ‘A Tory is a thing whose head is in England, and its body in America, and its neck ought to be stretched.’
c. 1800. Irish Song. The night before Larry was stretch’d The boys they all paid him a visit.
† c. intr. To be hanged.
1576. Common Conditions, 202 (Brooke). If hee could haue taken me I know that I should stretch.
1596. H. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 231. Two of his charge gave the slip; it was well for them; they might else have stretched with the rest of their companions.
1676. D’Urfey, Mme. Fickle, V. ii. Ay, ay, you need not fear, you are a Lord, you’ll come off well enough, ’tis we shall stretch for ’t.
19. To stretch a point = to strain a point: see STRAIN v. 11 f. Also, in the same sense, † to stretch string (cf. quot. 1579 in 16).
In the first quot. app. used with somewhat different sense.
1565. Cooper, Thesaurus, s.v. Neruus, Intendere neruos in re aliqua, to strayne a sinew: to stretche a poy[n]cte: to indeuour to the vttermost of his power.
a. 1566. R. Edwards, Damon & Pithias (facs.), G ij b. Wyll you not stretche one poynt: to bringe me in fauour agayne?
1575. Gascoigne, Glasse of Govt., II. iii. (1910), 37. Might not a man entreat master Eccho to carry her a present if neede were? Eccho. Sir there is never a gentleman in this citie, shall make Eccho stretch a string sooner then your selfe, but [etc.].
1576. A. Hall, Acc. Quarrel w. Mallerie, etc., Misc. Antiq. Angl. (1816), I. 96. If for affection you stretch a string, you cannot be excused.
1687. Atterbury, Answ. Consid. Spirit Luther, 22. Yet these same Schoolmen do not stretch the point so far, as to say the Pope has an absolute limited power over these Vows.
1814. Scott, Wav., liii. I am not likely, I think, to ask any thing very unreasonable, and if I did, they might have stretched a point.
1861. H. Kingsley, Ravenshoe, xlii. It would be stretching a point to say that Cuthbert was a handsome man.
† 20. fig. To exert to the utmost, strain (one’s powers). Obs.
1612. in Capt. J. Smith’s Wks. (Arb.), II. 422. Their men women, and children … kindly welcommed vs,… stretching their best abilities to expresse their loues.
a. 1660. Faithful Friends, III. iii. Till my veins And sinews crack, I’ll stretch my utmost strength.
b. refl. and intr. To strain, press forward, use effort. Also with on.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 219. Þemperour … folwed as stiffuly as is stede miȝt strecche on to renne.
1526. Tindale, Phil. iii. 13. I forget that which is behynde me, and stretche my silfe [Gr. ἐπεκτεινόμενος] vnto that which is before me.
1551. T. Wilson, Logic, C viij. If by labour and earnest trauaile, they will stretche to attein that whereunto thei are apt.
1738. Wesley, Hymn, ‘When shall thy lovely Face be seen?’ iv. And every Limb and every Joint Stretches for Immortality.
c. To stretch to the oar, to the stroke (rarely trans. to stretch one’s oars): to put forth one’s strength in rowing; also fig. Also, to stretch out.
1697. Dryden, Æneis, V. 172. To bear with this, the Seamen stretch their Oars. Ibid., 247. Tug the lab’ring Oar; Stretch to your Stroaks, my still unconquer’d Crew.
1725. Pope, Odyss., XII. 265. Their oars they seize, Stretch to the stroke, and brush the working seas.
1820. Scott, Lett., 30 March, in Lockhart (1837), IV. xi. 373. He must stretch to the oar for his own credit as well as that of his friends.
1835. Dickens, Sk. Boz, River. Why don’t your partner stretch out?
1840. R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, xviii. 51. [We] were returning, stretching out well at our oars.
1846. A. Young, Naut. Dict., 328. Stretch out! an order to a boat’s crew to pull strong.
d. Of a horse, etc. to stretch out into a gallop, to be stretched out at a gallop.
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer, xix. The roused animal commenced to stretch out into a gallop.
1896. ‘H. S. Merriman,’ Sowers, i. His little Cossack horse … was stretched out at a gallop.
VI. To lengthen or widen by force.
21. trans. To lengthen or widen (a material thing) by force; to pull out to greater length or width; to enlarge in girth or capacity by internal pressure. Also in figurative context.
Now the most prominent sense; in early use rare and perh. contextual (cf. 16), chiefly with advs. abroad, out.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XI. ii. (1495), 385. A stronge blaste of wynde … blowyth and stretchyth bledders by entrynge.
1530. Palsgr., 738/2. I stretche out a length, jalonge. Stretche out this corde a lengeth.
1552. Huloet, Stretche abrode, dilato.
1613. Shaks., Hen. VIII., II. iii. 33. And which guifts … the capacity Of your soft Chiuerell Conscience, would receiue, If you might please to stretch it.
1632. Marmion, Hollands Leaguer, II. v. F 2. Gentlemen, You’l breake your wits with stretching them.
1680. Dryden, Ovid’s Epist., Pref. (1716), a 4. I suppose he [a translator] may stretch his Chain to such a Latitude, but by innovation of Thoughts, methinks he breaks it.
1687. Atterbury, Answ. Consid. Spirit Luther, 32. He is a very Procrustes in his way: whatever he meets of other men’s, he unmercifully either stretches, or curtails, till he has made it exactly of a size with his own notions.
1691. Hartcliffe, Virtues, 69. If the Stomach be stretched beyond its … true extent, it will [etc.].
1762. Mead’s Med. Wks. (1775), 395. Her belly was so vastly stretched with water, that I pronounced the case incurable.
1843. Holtzapffel, Turning, I. 421. Little risk of stretching the plates, if the work be delicately performed.
1843. in Newton’s Lond. Jrnl., Conj. Ser. XXV. 373. Machinery or apparatus … for stretching certain fibrous materials.
1860. Ruskin, Unto this Last, i. (1862), 4. It might be shown, on that supposition, that it would be advantageous to roll the students up into pellets, flatten them into cakes, or stretch them into cables.
1889. E. E. Hale, in Harper’s Mag., March, 623/2. My business and that of my wife is to stretch new boots for millionaires.
b. To open wide (the eyes, mouth, nostrils).
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., II. ii. 55. If little faults … Shall not be wink’d at, how shall we stretch our eye When capitall crimes … Appeare before vs? Ibid., III. i. 15. Now set the Teeth, and stretch the Nosthrill wide.
1605. 1st Pt. Jeronimo, I. i. 56. Then let him … Stretch his mouth wider with big swolne phrases.
1823. Scott, Quentin D., viii. Looking as if he were stretching his eyes to see into futurity.
22. fig. To enlarge or amplify beyond proper or natural limits; to extend unduly the scope or application of (a law, rule, etc.) or the meaning of (a word).
1553. Primer or Bk. Priv. Prayer, P v b. That they [sc. landlords] remembryng them selues to be thy tenauntes, may not racke and stretche oute ye rentes of their houses and landes.
1580. Spenser, Lett. to Harvey, Poet. Wks. (1912), 611/2. Heauen, beeing vsed shorte as one sillable, when it is in Verse, stretched out with a Diastole, is like a lame Dogge that holdes vp one legge.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 415 b. The speech of Peter in this whole Epistle, ought not in any wise be stretched to the paynes of Purgatory.
1631. Star Chamber Cases (Camden), 8. Then he delivereth over the goods … they were stretched in value already.
1670. South, Serm. (1698), III. 154. To Love an Enemy is to stretch Humanity as far as it will go.
1746. H. Walpole, Lett. to Mann, 15 April. The judge … told her he wished he could stretch the law to hang her.
1764. Goldsm., Trav., 382. When contending chiefs blockade the throne, Contracting regal power to stretch their own.
1848. Mill, Pol. Econ., III. xxiii. § 3. II. 183. In speculative times, money-dealers … are inclined to extend their business by stretching their credit.
1878. O. W. Holmes, Motley, ii. 15. The rules of the Phi Beta Kappa Society … were stretched so as to include him.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 471. This reflex hypothesis has been stretched to explain cases following tonsillitis or disturbances of other organs.
1915. Hartland, in Man, XV. 126. Thus, to refer to mana as ‘divine energy’ is stretching the word unwarrantably.
b. absol. To stretch one’s ordinary rule, ‘launch out.’
1766. Goldsm., Vicar, xxx. He bespoke also a dozen of their best wine,… adding with a smile, that he would stretch a little for once.
† c. To extend the duration of. Obs. (? nonce-use.)
1568. T. Howell, Arb. Amitie, 10 b. I cursse eche lingring howre of day, my bloudie woundes to stratch.
d. To exaggerate in narration; chiefly absol. (colloq.)
1674. Govt. Tongue, xi. 200. What an allay do we find to the credit of the most probable event, that it is reported by one who uses to stretch?
1678. D’Urfey, Trick for Trick, I. i. 10. But I must confess t’ ee, under the Rose here, I did stretch a little, as a good teller of a Story shou’d.
1711. Swift, Jrnl. to Stella, 1 Dec. The fifteen images that I saw were not worth forty pounds, so I stretched a little when I said a thousand.
1883. Mrs. Phœbe Earle Gibbons, in Harper’s Mag., April, 658/2. They call anything that is ‘stretched’ a Yankee story.
1884. ‘Mark Twain,’ Huck. Finn, i. There was things which he stretched, but mainly he told the truth.
23. intr. To be or admit of being forcibly lengthened or dilated without breaking.
1485. Caxton, Chas. Gt., 236. The vaynes of hys necke braken a sondre, and the synewes of his body stratcheden.
c. 1537. De Benese, Measurynge Lande, A iij. A corde or a lyne … wyl … somtyme streche longer by long dryeth.
1558. Warde, trans. Alexis’ Secr., 30. Ye shall cause the skinne to stretche, and come to his place, as it was before.
1597. E. S., Discov. Knts. Poste, B 4 b. Conscience,… I tell you their consciences are like chiuerell skins, that will stretch euery way.
1660. Boyle, New Exper. Spring of Air, xxiv. 191. The inner Membrane that involv’d the several Liquors of the Egge, because it would stretch and yield, remain’d unbroken.
1871. B. Taylor, Faust (1875), II. I. iii. 31. Think, the thread won’t stretch forever! Have a care! it might be broken.
1872. W. Pole, Iron, 60. If we attach one end of a bar of iron to the ceiling, and hang a weight to the other end, the bar will stretch.
VII. 24. Comb. stretch-bench Leather-manuf., a bench on which the stretching of hides is performed; stretch-gut (see quot.); † stretch-halter, one who deserves to be hanged, a gallows-bird; † stretch-hemp = prec.; stretch-leg, that which lays prostrate, Death; † stretch-mouthed a., wide-mouthed, fig.; † stretchneck [trans. AL. collistrigium], a pillory; † stretch-rope, one who stretches a rope (applied to a bellringer); stretch-wood, an apparatus for stretching gloves; a wooden hand upon which a glove is stretched to dry in dyeing.
1897. C. T. Davis, Manuf. Leather, xli. (ed. 2), 543. The stretching is also performed by hand on the *stretch-bench.
1673–8. Littleton, Lat.-Eng. Dict., Saturio, a *stretch-gut, an over-eater.
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut., cxxiii. 759. Thou villaine, thou *stretchehalter.
1606. Heywood, 2nd Pt. If you know not Me (1609), D 2 b. I know this is the shop by that same stretch-halter.
1532. *Stretch hempe [see HEMP sb. 3].
1566. Drant, Horace, Sat., II. vii. I ij. Thou stretche hempe [furcifer].
c. 1560. Most Fruitf. Treat. Chr. Man, I. xxxix. 150. Learne to beware by ye example of other men, vpon whom *stretche legge came sodenly and slewe them.
1611. Shaks., Wint. T., IV. iv. 196. Some *stretch-mouth’d Rascall.
1543. trans. Ordin. Bakers, etc. [c. 1300], c. 3. Euery pyllory or *stretche-necke [L. collistrigium] must be made of conuenyent strength.
1890. Conan Doyle, White Company, xxi. Some of you may find yourselves in the stretchneck, if you take not heed.
1634. Heywood & Brome, Lanc. Witches, III. i. E 3. ’Tis some merry conceit of the *stretch-ropes the Ringers.
1883. R. Haldane, Workshop Rec., Ser. II. 235/2. The glove [is] then allowed to dry on the *stretch-wood.
