† ˈwaghalter Obs.
[f. wag v. + halter n.1 Cf. wag-string, -with s.v. wag v. 12.]
One who is likely to swing in a halter; a ‘gallows-bird’.
| 1570 Levins Manip. 80/39 A Waghalter, furcifer, perditus. c 1570 Misogonus iv. ii. 6 Stand out of my way wagghalter or I will britche the nakte. 1611 Cotgr., Baboin,..a crackrope, waghalter, vnhappie rogue. 1620 Shelton 2nd Pt. Don Quix. iii. 16 This Bachelour..was..a notable Wag-halter. |
| attrib. 1546 [see slip-string 1]. 1638 Ford Fancies i. ii, Nit. What a terrible sight to a lib'd breech is a sow gelder? Spa. Not so terrible as a crosse tree that never growes, to a wag-halter-Page. |