tie

I. noun Etymology: Middle English teg, tye, from Old English tēag; akin to Old Norse taug rope, Old English tēon to pull — more at tow Date: before 12th century 1. a. a line, ribbon, or cord used for fastening, uniting, or drawing something closed; especially shoelace b. (1) a structural element (as a rod or angle iron) holding two pieces together ; a tension member in a construction (2) any of the transverse supports to which railroad rails are fastened to keep them in line 2. something that serves as a connecting link: as a. a moral or legal obligation to someone or something typically constituting a restraining power, influence, or duty b. a bond of kinship or affection 3. a curved line that joins two musical notes of the same pitch to denote a single tone sustained through the time value of the two 4. a. an equality in number (as of votes or scores) b. equality in a contest; also a contest that ends in a draw 5. a method or style of tying or knotting 6. something that is knotted or is to be knotted when worn: as a. necktie b. a low laced shoe ; oxford • tieless adjective II. verb (tied; tying or tieing) Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a. to fasten, attach, or close by means of a tie b. to form a knot or bow in <

tie your scarf

> c. to make by tying constituent elements <

tied a wreath

> <

tie a fishing fly

> 2. a. to place or establish in relationship ; connect b. to unite in marriage c. to unite (musical notes) by a tie d. to join (power systems) electrically 3. to restrain from independence or freedom of action or choice ; constrain by or as if by authority, influence, agreement, or obligation 4. a. (1) to make or have an equal score with in a contest (2) to equalize (the score) in a game or contest (3) to equalize the score of (a game) b. to provide or offer something equal to ; equal intransitive verb to make a tie: as a. to make a bond or connection b. to make an equal score c. to become attached d. to close by means of a tie