n. 1 a the part of the human body below the ribs and above the hips, usu. of smaller circumference than these; the narrower middle part of the normal human figure. b the circumference of this. 2 a similar narrow part in the middle of a violin, hourglass, wasp, etc. 3 a the part of a garment encircling or covering the waist. b the narrow middle part of a woman's dress etc. c US a blouse or bodice. 4 the middle part of a ship, between the forecastle and the quarterdeck. waist-cloth a loincloth. waist-deep (or -high) up to the waist (waist-deep in water). waisted adj. (also in comb.). waistless adj.
[ ME wast, perh. f. OE f. the root of WAX(2) ]