halter

¹

[hawl-ter]

noun

1. a rope or strap with a noose or headstall for leading or restraining horses or cattle.

2. a rope with a noose for hanging criminals; the hangman's noose; gallows.

3. death by hanging.

4. Also called halter top. a woman's top, secured behind the neck and across the back, leaving the arms, shoulders, upper back, and often the midriff bare.

verb (used with object)

1. to put a halter on; restrain as by a halter.

2. to hang (a person).

adjective

1. (of a garment) having a neckline consisting of a cord, strap, band, or the like that is attached to or forms part of the front of a backless and sleeveless bodice and extends around the neck.

   a halter dress.

halter

²

[hal-ter]

noun

plural

halteres 

1. one of a pair of slender, club-shaped appendages on the hindmost body segment of a fly, serving to maintain its balance in flight.

halter

³

[hawl-ter]

noun

1. one who stops.

halter

⁴

[hawl-ter]

noun

1. a person who halts, falters, or hesitates.

halter

/ ˈhɔːltə /

noun

1. a rope or canvas headgear for a horse, usually with a rope for leading

2. Also called: halterneck. a style of woman's top fastened behind the neck and waist, leaving the back and arms bare

3. a rope having a noose for hanging a person

4. death by hanging

verb

1. to secure with a halter or put a halter on

2. to hang (someone)

Other Word Forms

• halterlike adjective
• unhaltered adjective
• unhaltering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of halter¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English hælfter; cognate with German Halfter

Origin of halter²

First recorded in 1820–25; from New Latin, special use of Latin haltēr “handheld weight used in long jumps,” from Greek háltēr, derivative of hállesthai “to jump, leap,” akin to Latin salīre with the same meaning; salient

Origin of halter³

halt ¹ + -er ¹

Origin of halter⁴

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; halt ², -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of halter¹

Old English hælfter; related to Old High German halftra, Middle Dutch heliftra

Example Sentences

In the third picture in the carousel, Swift, wearing a Ralph Lauren halter neck dress and diamond encrusted Cartier watch, flashes her engagement ring - a cushion cut diamond on a gold band.

From BBC

The Cudahy council’s second-in-command seems to have recorded the clip at a party, judging by her black halter top, bright red lipstick, fresh hairstyle and fancy earrings, with club music thumping in the background.

From Los Angeles Times

The comedian started off the night wearing a strapless metallic dress on the red carpet before switching to a halter neck silver sequined gown to kick the ceremony off.

From BBC

She wore a white mini skirt, a sparkly white boa, and a powder blue halter top with matching cowboy boots.

From Salon

I write down, “black halter top, belt, skirt ...” and then I go back to it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cord 
• harness 
• leash 
• rope 
• shackle