v.
(ties, tying, tied)
- attach or fasten with string, cord, etc.
▸form into a knot or bow.
▸
(tie someone up)
restrict someone's movement by binding their arms or legs or binding them to something.
-
(also tie someone down)
restrict or limit to a particular place or situation.
▸
(usu. be tied up)
informal occupy someone to the exclusion of other activity.
▸
(tie something up)
invest or reserve capital so that it is not immediately available for use.
- connect; link.
▸
(tie in)
be or cause to be in harmony with something.
▸
(tie something up)
bring something to a satisfactory conclusion.
- hold together by a crosspiece or tie.
▸Music unite (written notes) by a tie.
▸Music perform (two notes) as one unbroken note.
- achieve the same score or ranking as another competitor.
-
(tie into)
N. Amer. informal attack or get to work on vigorously.
n.
(pl. ties)
- a thing that ties.
- a strip of material worn around the neck beneath a collar, tied in a knot at the front.
- a rod or beam holding parts of a structure together.
▸N. Amer. short for cross tie.
- Brit. a sports match between two or more players or teams in which the winners proceed to the next round of the competition:
a cup tie.
- a result in a game or match in which two or more competitors have tied.
▸Cricket a game in which the scores are level and both sides have completed their innings. Compare with draw.
- 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.
- US a shoe tied with a lace.
Derivative
Etymology
OE tīgan (v.), tēah (n.), of Gmc origin.