garter

plural garters

1. A band worn around the leg to hold up a sock or stocking.
2. governmentA bendlet.
3. PhilippinesAn elastic band encircling any article of clothing.
4. obsoleteOne of a set of tapes stretched out horizontally for acrobats and equestrians to leap over as part of a circus act or display of skill.

   Over men and horses, hoops and garters, Lastly through a hogshead of real fire. In this way, Mr. K. will challenge the world.

   1967, “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!”, in John Lennon (lyrics), Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, performed by The Beatles

   3 more examples

   GRAND TRAMPOLINE, by Mr KING, (from Astley's Amphitheatre, London) who will introduce a great variety of leaps. Somerset 1 - Somerset in the Air - while in that position lie will fire two pistols. Somerset 2 - Over garters 12 feet high.

   1842 November 11, The Hobart Town Advertiser, Tasmania, page 3, column 6

   Mrs. Ashton will then make her entree in a beautiful act of equestrianism, entitled "The Mountain Maid," on a rapid courser, taking an aerial flight through hoops, and over garters, &c.

   1851 December 25, The Empire, Sydney, page 2, column 2

   Madame HENRIQUES, the greatest Female Rider of the present day over Garters, Banners, through Hoops, Balloons, &c., &c, will appear every evening in her great unrivalled principal act.

   1864 December 12, The South Australian Register, Adelaide, page 1, column 5

present singular third person garters · participle present gartering · participle past gartered · past gartered

1. transitiveto fasten with a garter
2. intransitiveTo wear a garter

   Lady Hester loathed the coarse, deluded and lecherous Princess Caroline, who showed off to Smith by 'dancing about, exposing herself, like an opera girl', and even gartering below the knee:

   2011, Simon Sebag Montefiore, Jerusalem: The Biography – A History of the Middle East, page 385