Garter

n. [Fr. jarretière, Sp. jarretera, from O. Fr. garret, N. Fr. jarret, Sp. jarrete, It. garretto, bend of the knee, from Sp. & Pg. garra, claw, Pr. garra, ham, leg, bend of the knee. See GARROTE.]

1Sense 1. A string or band used to tie a stocking to the leg, so as to prevent it from dropping or slipping down.

2Sense 2. The badge of the highest order of knighthood in Great Britain, called the Order of the Garter, instituted by Edward III.; hence, also, the order itself.

Star of Garter.

Collar of Garter.

3Sense 3. (Her.) The half of a bend.

Garter king-at-arms, the principal herald of England, being a herald belonging to the order of the garter, and sovereign over all other officers in the Herald's Office; —often abbreviated to garter.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. GARTERED; p. pr. & vb. n. GARTERING.] 1. To bind with a garter. He ... could not see to garter his hose. 2. To invest with the order of the Garter. Warton.