Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Girdle
Gir′dle
,Noun.
A griddle.
[Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
Gir′dle
,Noun.
1.
That which girds, encircles, or incloses; a circumference; a belt; esp., a belt, sash, or article of dress encircling the body usually at the waist; a cestus.
Within the
girdle
of these walls. Shakespeare
Their breasts girded with golden
girdles
. Rev. xv. 6.
2.
The zodiac; also, the equator.
[Poetic]
Bacon.
From the world’s
girdle
to the frozen pole. Cowper.
That gems the starry
girdle
of the year. Campbell.
3.
(Jewelry)
The line ofgreatest circumference of a brilliant-cut diamond, at which it is grasped by the setting. See Illust. of
Brilliant
. Knight.
4.
(Mining)
A thin bed or stratum of stone.
Raymond.
5.
(Zool.)
The clitellus of an earthworm.
Girdle bone
(Anat.)
, the sphenethmoid. See under
– Sphenethmoid
. Girdle wheel
, a spinning wheel.
– Sea girdle
(Zool.)
, a ctenophore. See
– Venus's girdle
, under Venus
. Shoulder
, Pectoral
, and Pelvic
, girdle
(Anat.)
– To have under the girdle
, to have bound to one, that is, in subjection.
Gir′dle
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Girdled
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Girdling
.] 1.
To bind with a belt or sash; to gird.
Shak.
2.
To inclose; to environ; to shut in.
Those sleeping stones,
That as a waist doth
That as a waist doth
girdle
you about. Shakespeare
3.
To make a cut or gnaw a groove around (a tree, etc.) through the bark and alburnum, thus killing it.
[U. S.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Girdle
GIRD'LE
,Noun.
1.
A band or belt; something drawn round the waist of a person, and tied or buckled; as a girdle of fine lines; a leathern girdle.2.
Inclosure; circumference.3.
The zodiac.4.
A round iron plate for baking.5.
Among jewelers,the line which encompasses the stone, parallel to the horizon.GIRD'LE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To inclose; to enrivon; to shut in.2.
In America, to make a circular incision, like a belt, through the bark and alburnum of a tree to kill it.