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Floss vs Strand - What's the difference?

floss | strand |

As nouns the difference between floss and strand

is that floss is while strand is .

floss

English

Etymology 1

(Dental floss) 1750, from (etyl) . Related to fleece.

Noun

(es)
  • a thread, used to clean the area between the teeth
  • (raw) silk fibres
  • the fibres covering a corn cob
  • Any thread-like material having parallel strands that are not spun or wound around each other.
    • embroidery floss
  • (British) Spun sugar or cotton candy, especially in the phrase "candy floss".

    • Verb

    (es)
  • To clean the area between the teeth using floss .
  • (African American Vernacular English) To show off, especially by exhibiting one’s wealth or talent.
  • * 2003 , Vladimir Bogdanov, All Music Guide to Hip-Hop: The Definitive Guide to Rap and Hip-Hop , Backbeat Books, page 554:
    • As the label's name no doubt implies, these rappers aren't your typical crew, even if they still like to floss and represent their city.
  • * 2003 , Wang, Oliver, Classic Material: The Hip-Hop Album Guide , ECW Press, page 134:
    • “Ms. Jackson” is probably the most sensitive—and realistic—take on relationships to come out of hip-hop, while “Red Velvet” cautions would-be playas against pushing the floss envelope around “dirty boys” just waiting for a chance to add some gray flecks to that fur.
  • * 2007 , Azie Faison, Agyei Tyehimba, Game Over: The Rise and Transformation of a Harlem Hustler , Simon and Schuster, page 69:
    • It's impossible to floss wealth without attracting envy.
    Related terms
    * dental floss

    Etymology 2

    Compare (etyl) Floss a float.

    Noun

    (es)
  • (UK) A small stream of water.
  • Fluid glass floating on iron in the puddling furnace, produced by the vitrification of oxides and earths which are present.
    • Derived terms
    * floss hole (Webster 1913) ----

    strand

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) strand, strond, from (etyl) . Cognate with West Frisian straun, Dutch strand, German Strand, Danish strand, Swedish strand.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The shore or beach of the sea or ocean; shore; beach.
    • Grand Strand
  • The shore or beach of a lake or river.
  • A small brook or rivulet.
  • A passage for water; gutter.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • (nautical) To run aground; to beach.
  • (figuratively) To leave (someone) in a difficult situation; to abandon or desert.
  • (baseball) To cause the third out of an inning to be made, leaving a runner on base.
    • Jones pops up; that's going to strand a pair.
    Synonyms
    * (run aground) beach * (leave someone in a difficult situation) abandon, desert

    Etymology 2

    Origin uncertain. Cognate with (etyl) stran, strawn, .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Each of the strings which, twisted together, make up a yarn, rope or cord.
  • A string.
  • An individual length of any fine, string-like substance.
    • strand of spaghetti
    strand of hair .
  • (electronics) A group of wires, usually twisted or braided.
  • (broadcasting) A series of programmes on a particular theme or linked subject.
    • strand of truth
  • ( genetics) A nucleotide chain.
    • Synonyms
    * See also
    Derived terms
    * do the strand

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To break a strand of (a rope).
    • ----