First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1tether
noun teth·er \ˈte-thər\
: a rope or chain that is used to tie an animal to a post, wall, etc., so that it will stay in a particular area
Full Definition of TETHER
1
: something (as a rope or chain) by which an animal is fastened so that it can range only within a set radius
2
: the limit of one's strength or resources <at the end of my tether>
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Origin of TETHER
Middle English tethir, teder, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse tjōthr tether; akin to Old High German zeotar pole of a wagon
2tether
transitive verb
: to use a rope or chain to tie (an animal) to something in order to keep it in a particular area
teth·eredteth·er·ing \-th(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of TETHER
: to fasten or restrain by or as if by a tether <felt tethered to her desk until the work was done>
First Known Use of TETHER
15th century
TETHER Defined for Kids
1tether
verb teth·er \ˈte-thər\
teth·eredteth·er·ing
Definition of TETHER for Kids
: to fasten by a line that limits range of movement
2tether
noun
Definition of TETHER for Kids
: a line by which something is fastened so as to limit where it can go
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