gaiter

noun gai·ter \ ˈgā-tər \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

Definition of gaiter

1 : a cloth or leather leg covering reaching from the instep to above the ankle or to mid-calf or knee

2 a : an overshoe with fabric upper

b : an ankle-high shoe with elastic gores in the sides

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Recent Examples of gaiter from the Web

That is helped in part by VW's Digital Cockpit and the eight-inch touchscreen, as well as little touches like the leather gaiter around the gear-shift lever.

— eric bangeman, Ars Technica, "The Volkswagen Atlas reviewed: A people’s wagon for the American people," 12 Apr. 2018
Backcountry skiers should buy taller, more supportive boots (like a hiking boot) with a gaiter ring.

— matt allyn, Popular Mechanics, "How to Start Cross-Country Skiing," 23 Jan. 2018
Between rosy cheeks, a 1,000-watt smile beamed across the small portion of her uncovered face beneath beanie and above neck gaiter.

— joseph robertia, Anchorage Daily News, "Frenzied sled dogs, an eager 4-year-old, and an Alaska rite of passage," 1 Feb. 2018
My favorite trick is soaking my hat and neck gaiter — keeping the blood flow to your head and neck cool does a great job of regulating temperature.

— jordan rodriguez, idahostatesman, "You can escape the heat at your favorite fishing hole — just use these tips," 17 July 2017
To keep detritus out, protect your shoes’ ankle openings with a good pair of gaiters.

— robbie gonzalez, WIRED, "All The Gear You Need For Trail Running," 14 July 2017
This hiking must is a neck gaiter/bandana/sun guard/scarf that can be worn 16 ways, says Will Elliott of Paragon Guides in Vail, Colorado.

— cassie shortsleeve, CNT, "How to Pack for a Hiking Trip," 7 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gaiter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gaiter

borrowed from French guêtre, going back to Middle French guiestres (plural), probably going back to a metathetical variant of Old Low Franconian *wrist- "ankle joint," going back to Germanic *wrih-sti- (whence Middle High German rist, riste "wrist or ankle joint," Old English wrist "wrist joint") — more at wrist

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1775

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year