Main Entry: ¹tie

Pronunciation: \ˈtī\

Function: 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

— tie·less \-ləs\ adjective