garter

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: Gar=ter

CIDE DICTIONARY

garter, n. [OE. gartier, F. jarretière, fr. OF. garet bend of the knee, F. jarret; akin to Sp. garra claw, Prov. garra leg. See Garrote.].

•  A band used to prevent a stocking from slipping down on the leg.  [1913 Webster]
•  The distinguishing badge of the highest order of knighthood in Great Britain, called the Order of the Garter, instituted by Edward III.; also, the Order itself.  [1913 Webster]
•  Same as Bendlet.  [1913 Webster]

Garter fish (Zoöl.), a fish of the genus Lepidopus, having a long, flat body, like the blade of a sword; the scabbard fish. -- Garter king-at-arms, the chief of the official heralds of England, king-at-arms to the Order of the Garter; -- often abbreviated to Garter. -- Garter snake (Zoöl.), one of several harmless American snakes of the genus Eutænia, of several species (esp. E. saurita and E. sirtalis); one of the striped snakes; -- so called from its conspicuous stripes of color.

garter, v. t. 

•  To bind with a garter.  [1913 Webster]

  "He . . . could not see to garter his hose."  [1913 Webster]
•  To invest with the Order of the Garter.  T. Warton.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

garter, n. & v.
--n.
1 a band worn to keep a sock or stocking up.
2 (the Garter) Brit. a the highest order of English knighthood. b the badge of this. c membership of this.
3 US a suspender for a sock or stocking.
--v.tr. fasten (a stocking) or encircle (a leg) with a garter.

Idiom

garter-belt US a suspender belt. Garter King of Arms see King of Arms. garter-snake any water-snake of the genus Thamnophis, native to N. America, having lengthwise stripes. garter stitch a plain knitting stitch or pattern, forming ridges in alternate rows.

Etymology

ME f. OF gartier f. garet bend of the knee

ROGET THESAURUS

garter

Connection

N connection, vinculum, link, connective, connection, junction, bond of union, copula, hyphen, intermedium, bracket, bridge, stepping-stone, isthmus, bond, tendon, tendril, fiber, cord, cordage, riband, ribbon, rope, guy, cable, line, halser, hawser, painter, moorings, wire, chain, string, fastener, fastening, tie, ligament, ligature, strap, tackle, rigging, standing rigging, running rigging, traces, harness, yoke, band ribband, bandage, brace, roller, fillet, inkle, with, withe, withy, thong, braid, girder, tiebeam, girth, girdle, cestus, garter, halter, noose, lasso, surcingle, knot, running knot, cabestro, cinch, lariat, legadero, oxreim, suspenders, pin, corking pin, nail, brad, tack, skewer, staple, corrugated fastener, clamp, U-clamp, C-clamp, cramp, cramp iron, ratchet, detent, larigo, pawl, terret, treenail, screw, button, buckle, clasp, hasp, hinge, hank, catch, latch, bolt, latchet, tag, tooth, hook, hook and eye, lock, holdfast, padlock, rivet, anchor, grappling iron, trennel, stake, post, cement, glue, gum, paste, size, wafer, solder, lute, putty, birdlime, mortar, stucco, plaster, grout, viscum, shackle, rein, prop.

Title

N title, honor, knighthood, highness, excellency, grace, lordship, worship, reverence, reverend, esquire, sir, master, Mr, signor, senor, Mein Herr, mynheer, your honor, his honor, serene highness, handle to one's name, decoration, laurel, palm, wreath, garland, bays, medal, ribbon, riband, blue ribbon, cordon, cross, crown, coronet, star, garter, feather, feather in one's cap, epaulet, epaulette, colors, cockade, livery, order, arms, shield, scutcheon, reward.