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hal·ter 1 (hôltər)
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n.
1. A device made of rope or straps that fits around the head of an animal and is used to lead or secure the animal.
2. Archaic
a. A rope with a noose used for execution by hanging.
b. Death or execution by hanging.
3. A garment having a front supported by a strap or straps running behind the neck, leaving the arms, shoulders, and back bare.
adj.
Of, relating to, or being a garment having a front that is supported by a strap or straps running behind the neck: a halter dress.
tr.v. hal·tered, hal·ter·ing, hal·ters
1. To put a halter on.
2. To control with or as if with a halter.
3. Archaic To hang (someone).

[Middle English, from Old English hælftre.]
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halter1

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
hal·ter 2 (hôltər, hăl-) or hal·ter·e (hôltîrē, hăl-)
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n. pl. hal·ter·es (-tîrēz)
Either of the small, clublike balancing organs that are the rudimentary hind wings of flies. Also called balancer.

[Latin haltēr, lead weights used in leaping exercises, from sing. of Greek haltēres, from hallesthai, to jump; see sel- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.