garter

garter
    n 1: a band (usually elastic) worn around the leg to hold up a
         stocking (or around the arm to hold up a sleeve) [syn:
         {garter}, {supporter}]
    v 1: fasten with or as if with a garter
    

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.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Her.) Same as {Bendlet}.
      [1913 Webster]

   {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.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Garter \Gar"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Gartered}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Gartering}.]
   1. To bind with a garter.
      [1913 Webster]

            He . . . could not see to garter his hose. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To invest with the Order of the Garter. --T. Warton.
      [1913 Webster]