string figure

noun

1

: a figure representing any of various objects that is made by passing a string around the fingers of both hands sometimes with the help of a second person

anthropologists find the making of string figures common in many simple cultures

compare cat's cradle

2

or string game : a game of making string figures

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!