Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

terret

American  
[ter-it] / ˈtɛr ɪt /

noun

  1. one of the round loops or rings on the saddle of a harness, through which the driving reins pass.


terret British  
/ ˈtɛrɪt /

noun

  1. either of the two metal rings on a harness saddle through which the reins are passed

  2. the ring on a dog's collar for attaching the lead

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of terret

1480–90; earlier teret, unexplained variant of Middle English toret < Middle French, Old French tor ring ( see tour) + -et -et

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Only one side of the shafts was supported by the harness, and we did not stop to fasten the hold-back straps, nor to put the lines through the terret, nor tie the hitching strap.

From Twenty Years of Hus'ling by Denslow, W. W. (William Wallace)

"Falsus honor juvat, et mendax infamia terret Quem nisi mendosum et mendacem?"

From The Essays of Montaigne — Complete by Montaigne, Michel de

Tonitrua magna terret, Inimicos nostras domat Et peccata nostra delet; Praegnantem cum partu salvat, Ab incendio praeservat, Dona dignis multa confert, A subersione servat, Utque malis mala defert.

From History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom by White, Andrew Dickson

And by him that spake only as a philosopher, and natural man, it was well said, Pompa mortis magis terret, quam mors ipsa.

From The Essays of Francis Bacon by Bacon, Francis

Summe dator vitae, naturae aeterne magister,   Causarum series quo moderante fluit, Respice quem subiget senium, morbique seniles,   Quem terret vitae meta propinqua suae, Respice inutiliter lapsi quem poenitet aevi;   Recte ut poeniteat, respice, magne parens.

From Dr. Johnson's Works: Life, Poems, and Tales, Volume 1 The Works of Samuel Johnson, Ll.D., in Nine Volumes by Johnson, Samuel