halter
1[ hawl-ter ]
/ ˈhɔl tər /
noun
verb (used with object)
to put a halter on; restrain as by a halter.
to hang (a person).
adjective
(of a garment) having a neckline consisting of a cord, strap, band, or the like that is attached to or forms part of the front of a backless and sleeveless bodice and extends around the neck: a halter dress.
QUIZZES
DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!
We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Origin of halter
1First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English hælfter; cognate with German Halfter
OTHER WORDS FROM halter
hal·ter·like, adjectiveun·hal·tered, adjectiveun·hal·ter·ing, adjectiveWords nearby halter
Definition for halter (2 of 4)
halter2
[ hal-ter ]
/ ˈhæl tər /
noun, plural hal·te·res [hal-teer-eez]. /hælˈtɪər iz/.
one of a pair of slender, club-shaped appendages on the hindmost body segment of a fly, serving to maintain its balance in flight.
Also called balancer.
Origin of halter
2First recorded in 1820–25; from New Latin, special use of Latin haltēr “handheld weight used in long jumps,” from Greek háltēr, derivative of hállesthai “to jump, leap,” akin to Latin salīre with the same meaning; see salient
Definition for halter (3 of 4)
halter3
[ hawl-ter ]
/ ˈhɔl tər /
noun
one who stops.
Definition for halter (4 of 4)
halter4
[ hawl-ter ]
/ ˈhɔl tər /
noun
a person who halts, falters, or hesitates.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for halter
halter
/ (ˈhɔːltə) /
noun
a rope or canvas headgear for a horse, usually with a rope for leading
Also called: halterneck a style of woman's top fastened behind the neck and waist, leaving the back and arms bare
a rope having a noose for hanging a person
death by hanging
verb (tr)
to secure with a halter or put a halter on
to hang (someone)
Word Origin for halter
Old English hælfter; related to Old High German halftra, Middle Dutch heliftra
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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