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