windlestraws

/ˈwɪndəlˌstrɔz/
noun
  1. Thin, dry stalks of grass or straw, especially those left after harvesting or that are withered.
    • The field was littered with windlestraws after the hay was baled.
    • The old barn was filled with dusty windlestraws from last season's harvest.
    • She gathered a handful of windlestraws to use as kindling for the fire.
  2. A very thin or weak person or thing.
    • The old chair was a windlestraw of furniture, barely able to hold his weight.
    • After his illness, he looked like a windlestraw, all skin and bones.
    • She called the frail kitten a windlestraw, but it grew strong with care.
Synonyms
What does "windlestraws" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean