English Reference

Word

halter

Phoneticshal·ter

/ˈhɔɫtɝ/

Definitions

01animal headpiece

B2

n. a set of straps or rope placed around an animal's head so you can lead or tie it.

n. a bitless headpiece consisting of a headstall and noseband, used for leading or tethering livestock such as horses or cattle.

“The farmer put a leather halter on the horse before leading it out of the stable.”

“The trainer adjusted the nylon halter to ensure it sat comfortably on the yearling's nose without causing irritation during the leading exercise.”

Synonyms

headstalltether

02clothing style

B2

n. a style of top or dress that is held up by a strap around the back of the neck.

n. a garment, such as a top or dress, featuring a neckline consisting of a single strap that passes around the back of the wearer's neck.

“She wore a bright blue halter top to the beach party.”

“The designer's summer collection featured several elegant silk gowns with a halter silhouette that emphasised the shoulders.”

Synonyms

halterneck

03execution rope

C2 · Law

n. a rope with a loop used for hanging criminals in the past.

n. a rope with a noose intended for execution by hanging.

“In the old story, the highwayman narrowly escaped the halter.”

“The prisoner stood stoically upon the scaffold, his gaze fixed ahead as the executioner prepared the hempen halter.”

Archaic · Literary

Synonyms

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”).

From halt + -er.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference