leash

American  

[leesh] / liʃ /

noun

1. a chain, strap, etc., for controlling or leading a dog or other animal; lead.

2. check; curb; restraint: a tight leash on one's subordinates.

   to keep one's temper in leash;

   a tight leash on one's subordinates.

3. Hunting. a brace and a half, as of foxes or hounds.

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verb (used with object)

1. to secure, control, or restrain by or as if by a leash.

   to leash water power for industrial use.

2. to bind together by or as if by a leash; connect; link; associate.

leash British  

/ liːʃ /

noun

1. a line or rope used to walk or control a dog or other animal; lead

2. something resembling this in function

   he kept a tight leash on his emotions

3. hunting three of the same kind of animal, usually hounds, foxes, or hares

4. eagerly impatient to begin something

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verb

1. (tr) to control or secure by or as if by a leash

Etymology

Origin of leash

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English lesh, variant of lece, lese, from Old French laisse; lease ¹

Example Sentences

"But at this stage, absolutely off the leash, both of them, as long as there's always this kind of margin between the cars. We are fine."

From BBC

We’ve been over the plan a few times: go in, leash Mav with the leash I brought, and leave, “forgetting” to latch the door.

From Literature

She has a ring on a chain around her neck that she absentmindedly pulls, almost as though she’s got herself on a leash.

From The Wall Street Journal

Over his shoulder, he watched Oslak tying a reluctant Wolf to the same roof post on a short rawhide leash.

From Literature

Pet owners should keep dogs on leashes to prevent them from investigating bushes where snakes may be hiding, Warner said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cord
• rope
• strap
• tether