late 14c., from thread (n.) + bare. The notion is of "having the nap worn off," leaving bare the threads.
repeating threadbare jokes
threadbare rugs
Thrace
thraldom
thrall
thrash
thread
threadbare
threat
threaten
three
Three Rs
threefold
)window.location='https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=byronic106@yahoo.com&lc=US&item_name=Donation+to +Help+Keep+Etymonline+Free+and+Open&no_note=0&cn=&curency_code=USD&bn=PP-DonationsBF:btn_donateCC_LG.gif:NonHosted'){kind=link}