释义 |
teth·er I. \ˈtethə(r)\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English tethir, tedir, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse tjōthr tether, Swedish tjuder; akin to Middle Dutch tuder tether, Old High German zeotar pole of a wagon and perhaps to Old High German zogōn to pull — more at tow 1. : something (as a rope or chain) by which an animal is fastened so that it can range or feed only within the radius allowed 2. : something (as a rope or cable) used in a way suggesting a tether 3. : the limit of one's strength or resources : scope < poverty-stricken farmer is at his last tether — Leslie Rees > — used especially in the phrase the end of one's tether II. transitive verb (tethered ; tethered ; tethering \-th(ə)riŋ\ ; tethers) Etymology: Middle English tediren, from tethir, tedir tether 1. a. : to fasten or restrain (an animal) with a rope or chain < tether a cow to graze > < grove was full of tethered teams — William Faulkner > b. : to fasten so as to allow a short radius of movement < tether a boat > < toddlers, tethered for safety — National Geographic > < balloon was tethered by a string to the doorknob — Joseph Mitchell > < threads should be firmly tethered at one end — Peggy Tearle > 2. : to limit the effectiveness or activity of : bind < tether one's plans to one's resources > |