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.
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Nearby words
Origin of halter
1before 1000; Middle English; Old English hælfter; cognate with German Halfter
Related formshal·ter·like, adjectiveun·hal·tered, adjectiveun·hal·ter·ing, adjective
Definition for halter (2 of 5)
halter
2[ 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.
Origin of halter
2< New Latin, special use of Latin halter jumping weight < Greek háltēr, akin to hállesthai, Latin salīre to jump (see saltant)
Also called balancer.
Definition for halter (3 of 5)
halter
3[ hawl-ter ]
/ ˈhɔl tər /
noun
a person who halts or brings to a stop.
Definition for halter (4 of 5)
halter
4[ hawl-ter ]
/ ˈhɔl tər /
noun
a person who halts, falters, or hesitates.
Definition for halter (5 of 5)
halt
2[ hawlt ]
/ hɔlt /
verb (used without object)
to falter, as in speech, reasoning, etc.; be hesitant; stumble.
to be in doubt; waver between alternatives; vacillate.
Archaic. to be lame; walk lamely; limp.
adjective
Archaic. lame; limping.
noun
Archaic. lameness; a limp.
(used with a plural verb) lame people, especially severely lamed ones (usually preceded by the): the halt and the blind.
Origin of halt
2before 900; Middle English; Old English healt; cognate with Old High German halz, Old Norse haltr, Gothic halts, akin to Latin clādēs damage, loss
Related formshalt·less, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for halter
British Dictionary definitions for halter (1 of 3)
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
British Dictionary definitions for halter (2 of 3)
halt
1/ (hɔːlt) /
noun
an interruption or end to activity, movement, or progress
mainly British a minor railway station, without permanent buildings
call a halt to put an end (to something); stop
noun, sentence substitute
a command to halt, esp as an order when marching
verb
to come or bring to a halt
Word Origin for halt
C17: from the phrase to make halt, translation of German halt machen, from halten to hold 1, stop
British Dictionary definitions for halter (3 of 3)
halt
2/ (hɔːlt) /
verb (intr)
(esp of logic or verse) to falter or be defective
to waver or be unsure
archaic to be lame
adjective
archaic
- lame
- (as collective noun; preceded by the)the halt
noun
archaic lameness
Word Origin for halt
Old English healt lame; related to Old Norse haltr, Old High German halz lame, Greek kólos maimed, Old Slavonic kladivo hammer
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Idioms and Phrases with halter
halt
see call a halt; come to a halt; grind to a halt.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.