leash

[leesh]

noun

1. a chain, strap, etc., for controlling or leading a dog or other animal; lead.

2. check; curb; restraint: a tight leash on one's subordinates.

   to keep one's temper in leash;

   a tight leash on one's subordinates.

3. Hunting.,  a brace and a half, as of foxes or hounds.

verb (used with object)

1. to secure, control, or restrain by or as if by a leash.

   to leash water power for industrial use.

2. to bind together by or as if by a leash; connect; link; associate.

leash

/ liːʃ /

noun

1. a line or rope used to walk or control a dog or other animal; lead

2. something resembling this in function

   he kept a tight leash on his emotions

3. hunting three of the same kind of animal, usually hounds, foxes, or hares

4. eagerly impatient to begin something

verb

1. (tr) to control or secure by or as if by a leash

Word History and Origins

Origin of leash¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English lesh, variant of lece, lese, from Old French laisse; lease ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of leash¹

C13: from Old French laisse, from laissier to loose (hence, to let a dog run on a leash), ultimately from Latin laxus _lax

Example Sentences

Members of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, created by voters to leash politicians, are divided over Democrats’ gerrymandering effort.

From Los Angeles Times

Kitsch says one of his conditions for taking the part was being allowed a “long leash.”

From Los Angeles Times

This includes proper training, identifying problematic behaviours, leashing dogs in public and microchipping pets.

From BBC

Experts have advised pet owners to keep their dogs leashed when they’re near the shoreline and not to approach any marine mammal.

From Los Angeles Times

He muscled it into the cage elevator, leashes in hand, the machine balanced against his hip like a prize wrested from fate.

From Salon

Related Words

• cord 
• rope 
• strap 
• tether