Careful Words

halter (n.)

halter (v.)

No man e'er felt the halter draw,

With good opinion of the law.

John Trumbull (1750-1831): McFingal. Canto iii. Line 489.

  They that marry ancient people, merely in expectation to bury them, hang themselves in hope that one will come and cut the halter.

Thomas Fuller (1608-1661): Holy and Profane State. Of Marriage.

Now fitted the halter, now traversed the cart,

And often took leave, but was loth to depart.

Matthew Prior (1664-1721): The Thief and the Cordelier.

  Blandishments will not fascinate us, nor will threats of a "halter" intimidate. For, under God, we are determined that wheresoever, whensoever, or howsoever we shall be called to make our exit, we will die free men.

Josiah Quincy (1744-1775): Observations on the Boston Port Bill, 1774.