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tether

 - 4 dictionary results

teth⋅er

  [teth-er]
–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)
3. to fasten or confine with or as if with a tether.
—Idiom
4. at the end of one's tether, at the end of one's resources, patience, or strength.
Use tether in a Sentence
Origin:
1350–1400; ME (n.); cf. ON tjōthr, D tuier
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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teth·er   (těth'ər)   
n.  

    1. A rope, chain, or similar restraint for holding an animal in place, allowing a short radius in which it can move about.

    2. A similar ropelike restraint used as a safety measure, especially for young children and astronauts.

  2. A rope, chain, or similar restraint for holding one, especially an animal, in place, allowing a short radius in which one can move about.

  3. The extent or limit of one's resources, abilities, or endurance: drought-stricken farmers at the end of their tether.

tr.v.   teth·ered, teth·er·ing, teth·ers
To fasten or restrict with or as if with a tether.

[Middle English tedir, tethir, from Old Norse tjōdhr.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

tether  (n.)
1376, "rope for fastening an animal," probably from O.N. tjoðr "tether," from P.Gmc. *teudran (cf. Dan. tøir, Swed. tjuder, O.Fris. tiader, M.Du. tuder, Du. tuier "line, rope," O.H.G. zeotar "pole of a cart"), from PIE base *deu- "to fasten" + instrumentive suffix *-tro-. Fig. sense of "measure of one's limitations" is attested from 1579. The verb is first recorded c.1470, from the noun. Tether-ball is attested from 1900.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

tether

see end of one's rope (tether).

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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