— garterless , adj.
/gahr"teuhr/ , n.
1. Also called, Brit., sock suspender, suspender . an article of clothing for holding up a stocking or sock, usually an elastic band around the leg or an elastic strap hanging from a girdle or other undergarment.
2. a similar band worn to hold up a shirt sleeve.
3. a leather strap for passing through a loop at the back of a boot and buckling around the leg to keep the boot from slipping.
4. Brit.
a. the badge of the Order of the Garter.
b. membership in the Order.
c. ( cap. ) the Order itself.
d. ( usually cap. ) a member of the Order.
v.t.
5. to fasten with a garter.
[ 1300-50; ME gartier, deriv. of garet the bend of the knee gar shank, Breton gâr leg ]