tie

views updated May 18 2018

tie / / • v. (ty·ing / ˈtī-ing/ ) 1. [tr.] attach or fasten (someone or something) with string or similar cord: they tied Max to a chair her long hair was tied back in a bow. ∎  fasten (something) to or around someone or something by means of its strings or by forming the ends into a knot or bow: Lewis tied on his apron. ∎  form (a string, ribbon, or lace) into a knot or bow: Rick bent to tie his shoelaces. ∎  form (a knot or bow) in this way: tie a knot in one end of the cotton. ∎  [intr.] be fastened with a knot or bow: a sarong that ties at the waist. ∎  (often be tied) restrict or limit (someone) to a particular situation, occupation, or place: she didn't want to be like her mother, tied to a feckless man.2. [tr.] (often be tied) connect; link: self-respect is closely tied up with the esteem in which one is held by one's peers. ∎  hold together by a crosspiece or tie: ceiling joists are used to tie the rafter feet. ∎  Mus. unite (written notes) by a tie. ∎ Mus. perform (two notes) as one unbroken note.3. [intr.] achieve the same score or ranking as another competitor or team: he tied for second in the league| [tr.] Toronto tied the score in the fourth inning. • n. (pl. ties) 1. a piece of string, cord, or the like used for fastening or tying something: he tightened the tie of his robe. ∎  (usu. ties) fig. a thing that unites or links people: it is important that we keep family ties strong. ∎  (usu. ties) fig. a thing that restricts someone's freedom of action: some cities and merchants were freed from feudal ties. ∎  a rod or beam holding parts of a structure together. ∎  a wooden or concrete beam laid transversely under a railroad track to support it. ∎  Mus. 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. ∎  a shoe tied with a lace.2. a strip of material worn around the collar and tied in a knot at the front with the ends hanging down, typically forming part of a man's business or formal outfit.3. a result in a game or other competitive situation in which two or more competitors or teams have the same score or ranking; a draw: there was a tie for first place.PHRASES: fit to be tiedsee fit1 .tie someone (up) in knotssee knot1 .tie the knotsee knot1 .tie one on inf. get drunk.PHRASAL VERBS: tie someone down restrict someone to a particular situation or place: she didn't want to be tied down by a full-time job.tie something in (or tie in) cause something to fit or harmonize with something else (or fit or harmonize with something): her husband is able to tie in his shifts with hers at the hospital she may have developed ideas that don't necessarily tie in with mine.tie into inf. attack or get to work on vigorously: tie into breakfast now and let's get a move on.tie someone up bind someone's legs and arms together or bind someone to something so that they cannot move or escape: robbers tied her up and ransacked her home. ∎  (usu. be tied up) inf. occupy someone to the exclusion of any other activity: she would be tied up at the meeting all day.tie something up1. bind or fasten something securely with rope, cord, or string. ∎  moor a vessel. ∎  (often be tied up) invest or reserve capital so that it is not immediately available for use: money tied up in accounts must be left to grow.2. bring something to a satisfactory conclusion; settle: he said he had a business deal to tie up.DERIVATIVES: tie·less adj.

tie

views updated May 18 2018

tie. Any member that resists a pull, as to prevent the spreading of two sides of a sloping roof. In e.g. a truss, the tie-beam is the main transverse timber connecting the feet of the principal rafters or the blades of a cruck truss. ABDM (1996)

tie

views updated May 23 2018

tie (or bind). Curved line placed over note and its repetition to indicate that the 2 shall be perf. as one unbroken note of their combined time-value. Thus tied note. See also slur and curved lines.

tie

views updated May 21 2018

tie that with which anything is fastened OE.; fig. bond, connection XVI; equality between competitors XVII. OE. tē(a)g = ON. taug rope :- Gmc. *tauzō, f. *taux;- draw.
So tie vb. make fast. OE. tīġan, late form of WS. *tīegan, Angl. *tēġan (ME. tēzen) :- Gmc. *tauzjan. (cf. ON. teygja draw).

TIE

views updated May 23 2018

TIE theatre in education