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.
Phrases and idioms:
waist-cloth a loincloth. waist-deep (or -high) up to the waist (waist-deep in water).
Derivatives:
waisted adj. (also in comb.). waistless adj.
Etymology: ME wast, perh. f. OE f. the root of WAX(2)