Garter
Garter , noun
[Old English gartier, French jarretière, from Old French garet bend of the knee, French jarret; akin to Sp. garra claw, Prov. garra leg. See Garrote.]
1.
A band used to prevent a stocking from slipping down on the leg.
2.
The distinguishing badge of the highest order of knighthood in Great Britain, called the Order of the Garter, instituted by Edward III.; also, the Order itself.
3.
(Heraldry) Same as Bendlet.
Collocations (3)
Garter fish (Zoology) , a fish of the genus Lepidopus, having a long, flat body, like the blade of a sword; the scabbard fish.
Garter king-at-arms , the chief of the official heralds of England, king-at-arms to the Order of the Garter; -- often abbreviated to Garter.
Garter snake (Zoology) , one of several harmless American snakes of the genus Eutania, of several species (esp. E. saurita and E. sirtalis); one of the striped snakes; -- so called from its conspicuous stripes of color.
Garter , transitive verb
1.
To bind with a garter.
He... could not see to garter his hose.
2.
To invest with the Order of the Garter. — T. Warton