English Explanatory Dictionary

gird

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To bind with a flexible rope or cord.
  2. To encircle with, or as if with a belt.
  3. To prepare (oneself) for an action.
  4. (of a vessel towing another) To be pulled on sideways by its towline, putting it at risk of capsizing.
noun
  1. A sarcastic remark.
  2. A stroke with a rod or switch.
  3. A severe spasm; a twinge; a pang.
verb
  1. To jeer at.
  2. To jeer.

Pronunciation

/ɡɜːd/ /ɡɝd/ en-us-gird.ogg

Word forms

gird girds girding girded girt

Etymology

From Middle English girden, gerden, gürden, from Old English gyrdan (“to put a belt around, to put a girdle around”), from Proto-Germanic *gurdijaną (“to gird”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰerdʰ-. Cognate with West Frisian gurdzje, girdzje, Dutch gorden, German gürten, Swedish gjorda, Icelandic gyrða, Albanian ngërthej (“to tie together by weaving, to bind”).

Synonyms

girdle flout jibe fleer gird jeer scoff scorn laugh at sneer

Related words

girder girdle gird one's loins gird up one's loins girt through-gird

Derived words

begird engird overgird undergird ungird upgird
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