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tie (tī) Share: Tweet v. tied, ty·ing (tīĭng), ties v.tr. 1. To fasten or secure with or as if with a cord, rope, or strap: tied the kite to a post; tie up a bundle. 2. To fasten by drawing together the parts or sides and knotting with strings or laces: tied her shoes. 3. a. To make by fastening ends or parts: tie a knot. b. To put a knot or bow in: tie a neck scarf. 4. To confine or restrict as if with cord: duties that tied him to the office. 5. To bring together in relationship; connect or unite: friends who were tied by common interests; people who are tied by blood or marriage. 6. a. To equal (an opponent or an opponent's score) in a contest. b. To equal an opponent's score in (a contest): tied the game with minutes remaining. 7. Music To join (notes) by a tie. v.intr. 1. To be fastened or attached: The apron ties at the back. 2. To achieve equal scores in a contest. n. 1. A cord, string, or other means by which something is tied. 2. Something that connects or unites; a link: a blood tie; marital ties. 3. A necktie. 4. A beam or rod that joins parts and gives support. 5. One of the timbers or slabs of concrete laid across a railroad bed to support the rails. 6. a. An equality of scores, votes, or performance in a contest: The election ended in a tie. b. A contest so resulting; a draw. 7. Music A curved line above or below two notes of the same pitch, indicating that the tone is to be sustained for their combined duration. Phrasal Verbs: tie in 1. To bring into or have a harmonious or effective relation; connect or coordinate: His explanation of what happened ties in with ours. We tied the new room in with the existing decor. 2. To include as part of a promotional tie-in: tied the movie in with their car brand. tie into To attack energetically. tie up 1. Nautical To secure or be secured to a shore or pier; dock. 2. To impede the progress of; block: The accident tied up traffic. 3. To keep occupied; engage: She was tied up in a meeting all morning. The phone was tied up for an hour. 4. To place (funds) so as to make inaccessible for other uses: tied up her cash in long-term investments. Idioms: tie one on Slang To become intoxicated; go on a drinking spree. tie the knot Slang 1. To get married. 2. To perform a marriage ceremony. [Middle English teien, from Old English tīgan; see deuk- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] (click for a larger image) tie railroad ties

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# Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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