From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
garter
n : a band (usually elastic) worn around the leg to hold up a
stocking (or around the arm to hold up a sleeve) [syn:
supporter]
v : fasten with or as if with a garter
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Garter \Gar"ter\, n. [OE. gartier, F. jarreti[`e]re, fr. OF.
garet bend of the knee, F. jarret; akin to Sp. garra claw,
Prov. garra leg. See Garrote.]
1. A band used to prevent a stocking from slipping down on
the leg.
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2. The distinguishing badge of the highest order of
knighthood in Great Britain, called the Order of the
Garter, instituted by Edward III.; also, the Order itself.
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3. (Her.) Same as Bendlet.
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Garter fish (Zool.), a fish of the genus Lepidopus,
having a long, flat body, like the blade of a sword; the
scabbard fish.
Garter king-at-arms, the chief of the official heralds of
England, king-at-arms to the Order of the Garter; -- often
abbreviated to Garter.
Garter snake (Zool.), one of several harmless American
snakes of the genus {Eut[ae]nia}, of several species (esp.
E. saurita and E. sirtalis); one of the striped
snakes; -- so called from its conspicuous stripes of
color.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Garter \Gar"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Gartered; p. pr. & vb.
n. Gartering.]
1. To bind with a garter.
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He . . . could not see to garter his hose. --Shak.
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2. To invest with the Order of the Garter. --T. Warton.
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