gaiter

[ gey-ter ]

noun

1. a covering of cloth or leather for the ankle and instep and sometimes also the lower leg, worn over the shoe or boot. Compare upper ¹( def 7 ).
2. a cloth or leather shoe with elastic insertions at the sides.
3. an overshoe with a fabric top.

gaiter

/ ˈɡeɪtə /

noun

1. a cloth or leather covering for the leg or ankle buttoned on one side and usually strapped under the foot
2. Also calledspat a similar covering extending from the ankle to the instep
3. a waterproof covering for the ankle worn by climbers and walkers to prevent snow, mud, or gravel entering over the top of the boot

Derived Forms

• ˈgaiterless, adjective

Other Words From

• gaiter·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gaiter¹

1765–75; < French guêtre, Middle French guiestre, guestre, perhaps < Frankish *wrist, cognate with German Rist ankle, wrist. See wrist

Word History and Origins

Origin of gaiter¹

C18: from French guêtre, probably of Germanic origin and related to wrist

Example Sentences

If you’re worried about snow getting into the shoe, you can invest in additional gaiters or waterproof hiking pants that tuck into your boots, creating a seal.

From Popular-Science

Each step required him to pull his body up nearly clear of soft waist-deep snow before the next step plunged him back in, sending snow cascading into his boots past his flimsy gaiters.

From Time

So folks got creative, sewing their own masks out of fabric they had lying around, or using a gaiter or bandana.

From Quartz

Most recently, a small study out of Duke found that respiratory emissions actually seemed to increase when the test subject was wearing a gaiter.

From Outside Online

If you’re looking at pure surface area, the biggest face covering you can find is a neck gaiter.

From Outside Online

They crept and crept, the hem of her petticoat just touching his gaiter, and his elbow sometimes brushing hers.

From Project Gutenberg

He could stand in front of a battalion, and with a single sweep tell you if a buckle or a gaiter button were out of place.

From Project Gutenberg

He said, “The hand that held my foot was icy cold, and the nimble fingers that unbuttoned the gaiter were burning hot.”

From Project Gutenberg

One of the party, a gentleman of veracity, had his gaiter unbuttoned while sitting in the circle.

From Project Gutenberg

Yes, Hanny Underhill was a little girl again in gaiter-length dresses, and her braids tied across at the back of her head.

From Project Gutenberg