garter
/ˈɡɑːɹtɚ/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 2.97 in modern English
7
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A bendlet.
noun
noun
One of a set of tapes stretched out horizontally for acrobats and equestrians to leap over as part of a circus act or display of skill.
Obsolete
Example Sentences
- "GRAND TRAMPOLINE, by Mr KING, (from Astley's Amphitheatre, London) who will introduce a great variety of leaps. Somerset 1 - Somerset in the Air - while in that position lie will fire two pistols. Somerset 2 - Over garters 12 feet high."
- "Mrs. Ashton will then make her entree in a beautiful act of equestrianism, entitled "The Mountain Maid," on a rapid courser, taking an aerial flight through hoops, and over garters, &c."
- "Madame HENRIQUES, the greatest Female Rider of the present day over Garters, Banners, through Hoops, Balloons, &c., &c, will appear every evening in her great unrivalled principal act."
- "Over men and horses, hoops and garters, Lastly through a hogshead of real fire. In this way, Mr. K. will challenge the world."
- "Lady Hester loathed the coarse, deluded and lecherous Princess Caroline, who showed off to Smith by 'dancing about, exposing herself, like an opera girl', and even gartering below the knee:"
Etymology
From Middle English garter, from Old Northern French gartier, from Old French garet (compare Old French jartier, from jaret), from Gaulish *garrā, from Proto-Celtic *garros (“calf, shank”) (compare Cornish gar, Cornish gar,Middle Welsh garr, Old Irish gairr). Cognate with French jarretière.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈɡɑːɹtɚ/
- British English: /ˈɡɑːtə/