halter

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun rope or canvas headgear for a horse, with a rope for leading
  2. noun a rope that is used by a hangman to execute persons who have been condemned to death by hanging
  3. noun a woman's top that fastens behind the back and neck leaving the back and arms uncovered

Etymology

From Middle English halter, helter, helfter, from Old English hælfter, hælftre (“halter”), from Proto-West Germanic *halftrijā (“harness”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kelH- (“to cut”), equivalent to half- + -ter. Cognate with Scots helter (“halter”), Dutch halfter, halster (“halter”), Low German halfter, helchter, halter (“halter”), German Halfter (“halter, holster”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

hackamore

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