n. [ OE. gartier, F. jarretière, 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 Eutænia, of several species (esp. E. saurita and E. sirtalis); one of the striped snakes; -- so called from its conspicuous stripes of color. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

. The simplest stitch in knitting. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]