Leash /(lēsh)/

Leash

n.
  1. A thong of leather, or a long cord, by which a person may hold or restrain an animal, such as a falconer holding his hawk, or a courser his dog. For dogs and cats, the leash is commonly attached to a collar around the neck of the animal.
    Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash.
  2. A brace and a half; a tierce; three; three creatures of any kind, especially greyhounds, foxes, bucks, and hares; hence, the number three in general. (Sporting)
    [I] kept my chamber a leash of days.
    Then were I wealthier than a leash of kings.
  3. A string with a loop at the end for lifting warp threads, in a loom. (Weaving)

Phrases & Compounds
To keep (a person) on a short leash
to maintain close control over the activities of (a person).

Leash

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Leashed; p. pr. & vb. n. Leashing

  1. To tie together, or hold, with a leash.