leash

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A strap, cord, or rope used to hold and control an animal, especially a dog.

   Please keep your dog on a leash in the park.

2. 2
   verb

   To control or hold an animal with a leash.

   She leashed the puppy before the walk.

3. 3
   verb

   To hold back or restrain something.

   He struggled to leash his anger during the meeting.

From Middle English leesshe, leysche, lesshe, a variant of more original lease, from Middle English lees, leese, leece, lese, from Old French lesse (modern French laisse), either from Latin laxa, feminine form of laxus (“loose”) or, more probably, from a deverbal of Old French lesser, laissier, from Latin laxāre (“loose”); compare lax. Doublet of laisse.

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