girdle

Pronunciation: /ˈɡɝdl̩/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an encircling or ringlike structure
  2. noun a band of material around the waist that strengthens a skirt or trousers
  3. noun a woman's close-fitting foundation garment

Etymology

From Middle English girdel, gerdel, gurdel, from Old English gyrdel, from Proto-West Germanic *gurdil, from Proto-Germanic *gurdilaz (“girdle, belt”), equivalent to gird + -le. Cognates Cognate with Saterland Frisian Gäddel (“belt”), West Frisian gurdle, gurle, gurl (“belt”), Dutch gordel (“belt”), German Gürtel (“belt”), Yiddish גאַרטל (gartl, “belt”) (whence gartel, a doublet of girdle), Swedish gördel (“girdle”), Icelandic gyrðill (“girdle”).

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
skeletal structure
Narrower (hyponyms)
pelvis, pectoral girdle

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