ETYM Old Eng. halter, helter, helfter, AS. haelftre; akin to German halfter, Dutch halfter, halster, and also to Eng. helve. Related to Helve.
1. A woman's top that fastens behind the back and neck leaving the back and arms uncovered.
2. Either of the club-like rudimentary hind wings of dipterous insects; used for maintaining equilibrium during flight; SYN. haltere, balancer.
3. Rope or canvas headgear for a horse, with a rope for leading; SYN. hackamore.