tie

  • verb (tying) 1 attach or fasten with string, cord, etc. 2 form into a knot or bow. 3 restrict or limit to a particular situation or place. 4 connect; link. 5 achieve the same score or ranking as another competitor. 6 hold together by a crosspiece or tie. 7 Music unite (written notes) by a tie.

  • noun (pl. ties) 1 a thing that ties. 2 a strip of material worn beneath a collar, tied in a knot at the front. 3 a result in a game or match in which two or more competitors have tied. 4 Brit. a sports match in which the winners proceed to the next round of the competition. 5 Cricket a game in which the scores are level and both sides have completed their innings. Compare with DRAW. 6 a rod or beam holding parts of a structure together. 7 Music a curved line above or below two notes of the same pitch indicating that they are to be played for the combined duration of their time values.

  — PHRASES tie down restrict to a particular situation or place. tie in be or cause to be in harmony with something. tie up 1 restrict the movement of (someone) by binding their limbs or binding them to something. 2 bring to a satisfactory conclusion. 3 informal occupy (someone) to the exclusion of other activity. 4 invest or reserve (capital) so that it is not immediately available for use.

  — ORIGIN Old English.

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