I. ˈgər-d ə l noun
Etymology: Middle English girdel, from Old English gyrdel; akin to Old High German gurtil girdle, Old English gyrdan to gird
Date: before 12th century
1. : something that encircles or confines: as
a. : an article of dress encircling the body usually at the waist
b. : a woman's close-fitting undergarment often boned and usually elasticized that extends from the waist to below the hips
c.
(1) : shoulder girdle
(2) : pelvic girdle
2. : the edge of a brilliant that is grasped by the setting — see brilliant illustration
II. transitive verb
( gir·dled ; gir·dling ˈgər-d ə l-iŋ)
Date: 1582
1. : to encircle with or as if with a girdle
2. : to cut away the bark and cambium in a ring around (a plant) usually to kill by interrupting the circulation of water and nutrients
3. : to move around : circle
girdled the world