tethering

noun

1. a rope, chain, or the like, by which an animal is fastened to a fixed object so as to limit its range of movement.
2. the utmost length to which one can go in action; the utmost extent or limit of ability or resources.

verb (used with object)

3. to fasten or confine with or as if with a tether.
4. Digital Technology. to use (an electronic device, usually a smartphone or tablet) to enable a wireless Internet connection on another nearby device, often a laptop: There’s no wi-fi, so I’ll have to tether my phone to my laptop.

verb (used without object)

5. Digital Technology. to use an electronic device to enable a wireless Internet connection on another device.

Idioms

6. at the end of one’s tether, at the end of one’s resources, patience, or strength.

noun

1. a restricting rope, chain, etc, by which an animal is tied to a particular spot
2. the range of one’s endurance, etc
3. at the end of one’s tether distressed or exasperated to the limit of one’s endurance

verb

4. (tr) to tie or limit with or as if with a tether

n.late 14c., “rope for fastening an animal,” probably from Old Norse tjoðr “tether,” from Proto-Germanic *teudran (cf. Danish tøir, Swedish tjuder, Old Frisian tiader, Middle Dutch tuder, Dutch tuier “line, rope,” Old High German zeotar “pole of a cart”), from PIE root *deu- “to fasten” + instrumentive suffix *-tro-. Figurative sense of “measure of one’s limitations” is attested from 1570s. v.late 15c., from tether (n.). Related: Tethered; tethering. see end of one’s rope (tether).