[cinc.ture] n [L cinctura girdle, fr. cinctus, pp. of cingere to gird; prob. akin to Skt kanci girdle] (1600) 1: the act of encircling
2. a: an encircling area b: girdle, belt; esp: a cord or sash of cloth worn around an ecclesiastical vestment (as an alb) or the habit of a religious