tethered

Tethered is the past participle of tether and functions as an adjective describing something that is bound, restrained, or secured by a tether—a rope, chain, or cord. As a general term, tethered objects have restricted movement compared to those that are free or untethered. The word appears across everyday language and various technical fields, where the purpose of the tether is to provide safety, control, or maintained attachment.

In common usage, tethering refers to tying an animal or object to a fixed point to limit its range. An animal may be tethered to a post or stake to prevent wandering, while a tether can also secure equipment or materials during transport, storage, or setup.

In technology and media, tethered has several specialized meanings. Tethering describes sharing a mobile device’s internet connection with other devices via USB, Bluetooth, or Wi‑Fi. In photography and filmmaking, tethered shooting involves connecting a camera to a computer or tablet to control capture and transfer images in real time. In unmanned systems and research, tethered operations connect a drone, balloon, or satellite to a ground station or carrier to constrain altitude, ensure power or maintain communication.

In scientific contexts, tethered particle motion is a biophysical technique where a molecule is anchored to a surface by a controlled tether to study dynamics. In aerospace and space science, tethered configurations have been explored to enable momentum exchange, power transfer, or observational experiments through long cables linking objects in space.

Overall, tethered denotes dependence on a physical link that defines operational limits and restricts mobility.