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.
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.
3. (Her.) Same as Bendlet.
Garter fish (Zo["o]l.), 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 (Zo["o]l.), 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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