tether

[ teth-er ]
See synonyms for tether on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a rope, chain, or the like, by which an animal is fastened to a fixed object so as to limit its range of movement.

  2. the utmost length to which one can go in action; the utmost extent or limit of ability or resources.

verb (used with object)
  1. to fasten or confine with or as if with a tether.

  2. Digital Technology. to use (an electronic device, usually a smartphone or tablet) to enable a wireless internet connection on another nearby device, often a laptop: There's no Wi-Fi, so I'll have to tether my phone to my laptop.

verb (used without object)
  1. Digital Technology. to use an electronic device to enable a wireless internet connection on another device.

Idioms about tether

  1. at the end of one's tether, at the end of one's resources, patience, or strength.

Origin of tether

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (noun); compare Old Norse tjōthr, Dutch tuier

Other words from tether

  • un·teth·er·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for tether

tether

/ (ˈtɛðə) /


noun
  1. a restricting rope, chain, etc, by which an animal is tied to a particular spot

  2. the range of one's endurance, etc

  1. at the end of one's tether distressed or exasperated to the limit of one's endurance

verb
  1. (tr) to tie or limit with or as if with a tether

Origin of tether

1
C14: from Old Norse tjothr; related to Middle Dutch tūder tether, Old High German zeotar pole of a wagon

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with tether

tether

see end of one's rope (tether).

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.