English Explanatory Dictionary

halter

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A bitless headpiece of rope or straps, placed on the head of animals such as cattle or horses to lead or tie them.
  2. A rope with a noose, for hanging criminals; the gallows rope.
  3. A halter top.
verb
  1. To place a halter on.
noun
  1. One who halts or limps; a cripple.
noun
  1. Alternative form of haltere.

Pronunciation

/ˈhɔltɚ/ /ˈhɒltə/ /ˈhɔːltə/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-halter.wav

Word forms

halter halters helter haltering haltered halteres

Etymology

From Middle English halter, helter, helfter, from Old English hælfter, hælftre (“halter”), from Proto-West Germanic *halftrijā (“harness”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelH- (“to cut”), equivalent to half- + -ter. Cognate with Scots helter (“halter”), Dutch halfter, halster (“halter”), Low German halfter, helchter, halter (“halter”), German Halfter (“halter, holster”).

Synonyms

headstall headpiece headcollar collar Bridport dagger halter hangman's knot hangman's noose hempen collar hempen cravat

Derived words

halterbreak halterini halterkini halterless halterneck halter neck halterpath halter-sack halter-top riding halter slip-halter unhalter wag-halter halter up
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