Definition of halter

The word "halter" originated in the Middle English language during the 14th century. It comes from the Old Norse word "halðr" which translates to "reins of a horse" or "bridle". The Old Norse language was spoken in Scandinavia and parts of northern Europe during the Viking Age. When the Viking Age ended in the mid-11th century, many Norse settlers emigrated to other parts of Europe, including England. They brought with them their Old Norse language and culture, including the word "halðr". In Middle English, the word "halter" was first used to refer to a young bull or steer that had not yet been castrated, as the Bible termed it "an haltir" in the King James version. Over time, its meaning evolved to refer to a type of collar used to lead and restrain horses, oxen, and other animals, rather than a class of livestock. In modern English, the word "halter" is still commonly used in the context of animal husbandry, but it can also be used figuratively to describe a person or organization that exerts undue influence or control over another, as in the phrase "under the halter of". Despite its Germanic origins, the word "halter" has been widely adopted into the English language, thanks to the influence of Old Norse-speaking Vikings in medieval England.