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leash Definition

leash (lēs̸h)

noun

  1. a cord, strap, etc. by which a dog or other animal is held in check
  2. Hunting a set of three, as of hounds; brace and a half

Etymology: ME lese < OFr lesse, length of cord, leash < laissier, to let, permit < laxare, to lighten, relieve < laxus, loose: see lax

transitive verb

  1. to attach a leash to
  2. to check or control by or as by a leash

leash Idioms

hold in leash

to control; curb; restrain

strain at the leash

to be impatient to have freedom from restraint

leash Synonyms

leash

n.

hold in leash
strain at the leash

be impatient, act hastily, get excited; see hurry 1.

leash Usage Examples

Object

dog: Becoming more then a little afraid at the unknown creatures presence the couple leashed the dogs and left the area rapidly.

Converse of object

  • hold: They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say.
  • put: Do not put the leash with the animal, either inside or attached to the outside of the kennel.
  • keep: Beach Danger The Coastguard warns dog owners to keep a tight leash on their pets.
  • use: I use a 6 foot nylon leash for training my dog.
  • attach: A small dog on a leash attached to the saddle saunters alongside the horse.
  • have: All I could think was, no matter where I put this thing, I'll have an electronic leash around my neck.

Adjective modifier

  • tight: JL: He kept him on a very tight leash.
  • short: He will most likely take steps to keep his party's MPs on a shorter leash from now on.
  • long: This is the sense in which we humans are the robots of our genes, and are held on a very long leash.

Preposition: on

dog: Lisa put the leash on this dog, and the dog immediately hugged the floor.

Modifies a noun

  • system: Aluminum control bar comes complete with wrist leash safety system.
  • training: Good behavior in one respect - say leash training - makes good behavior in other respects much easier.
  • safety: Aluminum control bar comes complete with wrist leash safety system.
  • attachment: There's a wrist leash attachment point, elasticated wrists, link mini buckles and synthetic leather reinforcements.

Preposition: in

public: They always had to be muzzled and leashed in public.

Noun used with modifier

  • wrist: Aluminum control bar comes complete with wrist leash safety system.
  • dog: I saw a British cartoon in which Blair opens a gift box from Bush to find a dog leash!
  • loop: We banned them here years ago in favor of the loop leash.
  • surf: Always wear a surf leash to prevent you from losing your surfboard ( or bodyboard ).