girdle

[ gur-dl ]

noun

1. a lightweight undergarment, worn especially by women, often partly or entirely of elastic or boned, for supporting and giving a slimmer appearance to the abdomen, hips, and buttocks.
2. a belt, cord, sash, or the like, worn about the waist.
3. anything that encircles, confines, or limits.

   Synonyms: hedge, band, ring, circle, belt

4. Jewelry. the edge or narrow band between the upper and lower facets of a gem.
5. Anatomy. the bony framework that unites the upper or lower extremities to the axial skeleton.
6. Architecture. an ornamental band, especially one surrounding the shaft of a column.
7. a ring made about a tree trunk, branch, etc., by removing a band of bark.

verb (used with object)

, gir·dled, gir·dling.

1. to encircle with a belt; gird.
2. to encompass; enclose; encircle.
3. to move around (something or someone) in a circle.
4. to cut away the bark and cambium in a ring around (a tree, branch, etc.).
5. Jewelry. round ¹( def 49 ).

girdle

¹

/ ˈɡɜːdəl /

noun

1. See griddle
   dialect.
   another word for griddle

girdle

²

/ ˈɡɜːdəl /

noun

1. a woman's elastic corset covering the waist to the thigh
2. anything that surrounds or encircles
3. a belt or sash
4. jewellery the outer edge of a gem
5. See pelvic girdle, pectoral girdle
   anatomy any encircling structure or part See pectoral girdle pelvic girdle
6. the mark left on a tree trunk after the removal of a ring of bark

verb

1. to put a girdle on or around
2. to surround or encircle
3. to remove a ring of bark from (a tree or branch), thus causing it to die

girdle

/ gûr′dl /

1. To kill a tree or woody shrub by removing or destroying a band of bark and cambium from its circumference. The plants die because the distribution of food down from the leaves (through the phloem) and sometimes the flow of water and nutrients up from the roots (through the xylem) is disrupted, and the cambium can no longer regenerate these vascular tissues to repair the damage. Unwanted trees, such as invasive or nonnative species, are often eliminated by girdling. Some plant diseases kill trees by destroying a ring of cambium and so girdling them. Gnawing animals, especially rodents, can also girdle trees.

Derived Forms

• ˈgirdle-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• girdle·like adjective
• girdling·ly adverb
• un·girdle verb (used with object) ungirdled ungirdling

Word History and Origins

Origin of girdle¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English gyrdel, derivative of girdan to gird ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of girdle¹

Old English gyrdel, of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse gyrthill, Old Frisian gerdel, Old High German gurtila; see gird ¹

Example Sentences

Once a girdle was removed or lowered, it was almost impossible to get it back on, and many women remembered having to “hold on” until they got home.

From Popular-Science

This was the case even if the wearer was of normal weight or even thin, because to be effective the rubberized girdle had to fit very tightly, and fastening it up was awkward.

From Popular-Science

She gives him an exact replica of the girdle from his mother that the scavenger stole in the woods, to his mystification and wonder, and promises it will keep him safe.

From Vox

As opposing armies pound down the doors of the castle, Gawain quietly removes his girdle, and his head falls off.

From Vox

One of the gifts the lady gives to him is her green girdle — in the poem, that’s the first time he’s encountered a green girdle — and he keeps it for himself, not passing it along to the lord as he promised.

From Vox

Regarding only what is below the girdle,” he added, “it is impossible…to know an old from a young one.

From The Daily Beast

Her long black hair was bound above her forehead with a circlet of turquoises, and the ends, curled about her glittering girdle.

From The Daily Beast

However odd, The Daily Mail has charted the post-baby girdle as a growing trend amongst new moms.

From The Daily Beast

“A source says Brad has been sporting a girdle to control his pudgy midsection recently,” the magazine wrote.

From The Daily Beast

Every female extra wore the right girdle and seamed stockings; every man had the correct length tie.

From The Daily Beast

And he girded him about with a glorious girdle, and clothed him with a robe of glory, and crowned him with majestic attire.

From Project Gutenberg

Pass thy land as a river, O daughter of the sea, thou hast a girdle no more.

From Project Gutenberg

The girdle which the prophet had been commanded to hide, in process of time was marred; it was profitable for nothing.

From Project Gutenberg

It was probably 'the metal chape or tag fixed to the end of a girdle or strap,' viz.

From Project Gutenberg

Make a girdle around a smooth shaft, or make a shaft with a knob or large joint near the butt.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• waistband