halter Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun rope or canvas headgear for a horse, with a rope for leading
    hackamore.
  2. noun a rope that is used by a hangman to execute persons who have been condemned to death by hanging
    hempen necktie; hemp; hangman's halter; hangman's rope.
  3. noun a woman's top that fastens behind the back and neck leaving the back and arms uncovered
  4. noun either of the rudimentary hind wings of dipterous insects; used for maintaining equilibrium during flight
    haltere; balancer.
  5. verb hang with a halter
  6. verb prevent the progress or free movement of
    cramp; strangle; hamper.
    • He was hampered in his efforts by the bad weather
    • the imperialist nation wanted to strangle the free trade between the two small countries

WordNet

Halt"er noun
Definitions
  1. One who halts or limps a cripple.
Hal"ter noun
Etymology
OE. halter, helter, helfter, AS. hælftre; akin to G. halfter, D. halfter, halster, and also to E. helve. See Helve.
Definitions
  1. A strong strap or cord. Especially: (a) A rope or strap, with or without a headstall, for leading or tying a horse. (b) A rope for hanging malefactors; a noose. Shak.
    No man e'er felt the halter draw With good opinion of the law. Trumbull.
Hal"ter transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Haltered ; present participle & verbal noun Haltering
Definitions
  1. To tie by the neck with a rope, strap, or halter; to put a halter on; to subject to a hangman's halter. "A haltered neck." Shak.

Webster 1913