— girdlelike , adj. — girdlingly , adv.
/gerr"dl/ , n. , v. , girdled, girdling .
n.
1. a lightweight undergarment, worn esp. by women, often partly or entirely of elastic or boned, for supporting and giving a slimmer appearance to the abdomen, hips, and buttocks.
2. a belt, cord, sash, or the like, worn about the waist.
3. anything that encircles, confines, or limits.
4. Jewelry. the edge or narrow band between the upper and lower facets of a gem.
5. Anat. the bony framework that unites the upper or lower extremities to the axial skeleton.
6. Archit. an ornamental band, esp. one surrounding the shaft of a column.
7. a ring made about a tree trunk, branch, etc., by removing a band of bark.
v.t.
8. to encircle with a belt; gird.
9. to encompass; enclose; encircle.
10. to move around (something or someone) in a circle.
11. to cut away the bark and cambium in a ring around (a tree, branch, etc.).
12. Jewelry. round (def. 51).
[ bef. 1000; ME; OE gyrdel, deriv. of girdan to GIRD 1 ]
Syn. 3. belt, circle, ring, band, hedge.