Gar″ter (?), 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.
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(Zoöl.), 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(Zoöl.), 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.