Garter
/ˈɡɑːtə/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA band worn around the leg to hold up a sock or stocking.
nounA bendlet.
Sentence Examples
Turns out that the house is infested with Garter snakes. They're everywhere!
We found out that the house is infested with garter snakes. They're everywhere.
You need to attach a white garter belt underneath.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
She wore a black silk ____ to hold up her stocking.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The bride wore a beautiful lace ____ as a traditional part of her wedding attire for the special ceremony.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English garter, from Old Northern French gartier, from Old French garet (compare Old French jartier, from jaret), from Gaulish *garrā, from Proto-Celtic *garros (“calf, shank”) (compare Cornish gar, Cornish gar,Middle Welsh garr, Old Irish gairr). Cognate with French jarretière.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"GRAND TRAMPOLINE, by Mr KING, (from Astley's Amphitheatre, London) who will introduce a great variety of leaps. Somerset 1 - Somerset in the Air - while in that position lie will fire two pistols. Somerset 2 - Over garters 12 feet high."
— 1842 November 11, The Hobart Town Advertiser, Tasmania, page 3, column 6:
"Mrs. Ashton will then make her entree in a beautiful act of equestrianism, entitled "The Mountain Maid," on a rapid courser, taking an aerial flight through hoops, and over garters, &c."
— 1851 December 25, The Empire, Sydney, page 2, column 2:
"Madame HENRIQUES, the greatest Female Rider of the present day over Garters, Banners, through Hoops, Balloons, &c., &c, will appear every evening in her great unrivalled principal act."
— 1864 December 12, The South Australian Register, Adelaide, page 1, column 5:
"Over men and horses, hoops and garters,
Lastly through a hogshead of real fire.
In this way, Mr. K. will challenge the world."
— 1967, “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!”, in John Lennon (lyrics), Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, performed by The Beatles:
"Lady Hester loathed the coarse, deluded and lecherous Princess Caroline, who showed off to Smith by 'dancing about, exposing herself, like an opera girl', and even gartering below the knee:"
— 2011, Simon Sebag Montefiore, Jerusalem: The Biography – A History of the Middle East, page 385:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She wore a black silk ____ to hold up her stocking.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The bride wore a beautiful lace ____ as a traditional part of her wedding attire for the special ceremony.