string、rope、line、cord、thread与wire这些名词均含“线”之意。
string : 普通用词，指捆绑小件物品的细绳或细带子。
When you pull the strings, the puppet's arms and legs move.
你扯动细绳，木偶的手脚就会动。
rope : 指用于捆绑大物件的粗壮而坚固的绳子，一般用绵、毛、麻、金属或其它材料制成。
A sailor threw a rope ashore and we tied the boat to a post.
一个水手将一条缆绳扔到岸上，于是我们把船拴到了一根柱子上。
line : 普通用词，含义广泛，指任何一种线，常作引申用。
Sign your name on the dotted line.
请在虚线处签名。
She was very old and her face was covered with lines.
她已非常年迈，脸上布满了皱纹。
cord 指比 string 粗，比 rope 细，较牢固，通常用于捆扎较小物品的线或绳。用作引申当约束讲。
He tripped over the cord and yanked the plug out. Then he got up and walked away, oblivious of the collateral damage he had caused.
他绊到了电线，一下子把插头拽了出来。然后他站起来走了，没有注意到他所造成的附带损害。
thread : 普通用词，指用棉、毛、丝或纤维等纹成的很细的线，通常用于缝纫、纺织等。
This time I'll do it properly with a needle and thread.
这次，我要用针线将它缝好。
wire : 专指用金属制成的线。
The bird had become entangled in the wire netting.
那只小鸟被铁丝网缠住了。