gird

¹

[ gurd ]

verb (used with object)

, gird·ed or girt, gird·ing.

1. to encircle or bind with a belt or band.
2. to surround; enclose; hem in.
3. to prepare (oneself ) for action:

   He girded himself for the trial ahead.

   Synonyms: strengthen, fortify, steel, brace

4. to provide, equip, or invest, as with power or strength.

gird

²

[ gurd ]

verb (used without object)

1. to gibe; jeer (usually followed by at ).

verb (used with object)

1. to gibe or jeer at; taunt.

noun

1. a gibe.

gird

¹

/ ɡɜːd /

verb

1. to put a belt, girdle, etc, around (the waist or hips)
2. to bind or secure with or as if with a belt

   to gird on one's armour

3. to surround; encircle
4. to prepare (oneself) for action (esp in the phrase gird ( up ) one's loins )
5. to endow with a rank, attribute, etc, esp knighthood

gird

²

/ ɡɜːd /

verb

1. whenintr, foll by at to jeer (at someone); mock
2. tr to strike (a blow at someone)
3. intr to move at high speed

noun

1. 1. a blow or stroke
   2. a taunt; gibe
2. a display of bad temper or anger (esp in the phrases in a gird; throw a gird )

gird

³

/ ɡɪrd /

noun

1. a hoop, esp a child's hoop Alsogirr

Other Words From

• girding·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gird¹

before 950; Middle English girden, Old English gyrdan; cognate with German gürten

Origin of gird²

1175–1225; Middle English gyrd a stroke, blow, hence a cutting remark, derivative of girden to strike, smite < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of gird¹

Old English gyrdan, of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse gyrtha, Old High German gurten

Origin of gird²

C13 girden to strike, cut, of unknown origin

Origin of gird³

a Scot variant of girth

Example Sentences

In its lived-in quality and gathering churn, “Good One” is a dream of an indie, from the craft in every frame to the humor, epiphanies and mysteries that gird its portraiture.

From Los Angeles Times

He said the projects are needed to help gird the state against changing hydrologic conditions, and pointed to the recent pair of wet winters — which came on the heels of California’s three driest years on record — as an example of weather whiplash.

From Los Angeles Times

The state’s public transportation agency, NJ Transit, scrapped plans for a similar backup plant last month in nearby Kearny, saying resiliency improvements to the electrical gird made the project unnecessary.

From Seattle Times

Or should Britons gird themselves for the passing of another sovereign?

From New York Times

The biggest banks in the United States, such as JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup, have for months been setting aside money to gird for potential real estate losses.

From New York Times

Related Words

• brace