girdn.1
/ɡəːd/, U.S. /ɡərd/ Obsolete exc. northern.
1. †(a) A girdle. Obsolete. (b) †A strap or band of any kind (obsolete); a saddle-girth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > binding or tying > a bond, tie, or fastening > [noun] > a band or binding
bindinga1300
gird13..
bandc1325
bundlea1382
bonda1400
bracer1579
binder1695
13.. K. Alis. 2272 Glitoun..smot Tauryn..On the helm with the sweord, That the dynt stod at the gird.
1566 in D. H. Fleming Mary Q. of Sc. (1897) 499 Tway skenyeis of girdis to bind up the bedde.
1615 T. Overbury et al. New & Choise Characters with Wife (6th impr.) sig. K3v He hath, as it were, put a gird about the whole world.
1653 T. Urquhart tr. F. Rabelais 1st Bk. Wks. v. 26 What, drink so shallow, it is enough to break both girds and pettrel.
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. Gird, the girth of a saddle.
2. A hoop for a barrel, or one used as a child's plaything. (Cf. girr n., girth n. 2.)
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > vessel > barrel or cask > [noun] > hoop
hoopa1175
tonnel-hoop1341
garth1483
girr1611
gird1612
neck-hoop1641
1612 Bk. Customs & Valuation in A. Halyburton Ledger (1867) 308 Girds of Irone for punsheones or pypes the hundreth weght, viii li.
1622 in J. Barmby Churchwardens' Accts. Pittington (1888) 294 For fower gerdes for the runlets, 4d.
1791 ‘T. Newte’ Prospects & Observ. Tour 413 This chain of rocks is called, by the country people, one of the Girds of the Earth.
1802 in W. Scott Minstrelsy Sc. Border II. 109 Has your wine barrels cast the girds, Or is your white bread gone?
1893 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words Gord, a hoop. ‘The gords is all comin' off the rain-tubs.’ ‘The bairns hez all getten gords ti play wi'.’
Compounds
ΚΠ
1534 Aberd. Reg. V. 19 (Jam.) Ane thousand half girdstingis and vic haill gridstingis.
1612 Bk. Customs & Valuation in A. Halyburton Ledger (1867) 308 Girdstingis the hundreth, xxs.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
girdn.2
/ɡəːd/, U.S. /ɡərd/ a. A sharp stroke or blow. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking in specific manner > [noun] > a sharp or smart blow
dab1300
rapc1330
thresta1400
bruntc1400
knap14..
yedderc1440
gird1487
yert1509
fillip1543
yark1555
flewet1570
stingera1577
flirt1577
wherret1577
riprapc1580
spang1595
nick1651
lick1680
flip1692
yowf1711
clink1722
wherrya1726
click1773
whither1791
swata1800
yank1818
snock1825
clip1830
snop1849
clinkera1863
siserary1893
blip1894
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 629 The brothir that the hand-ax bar..A gyrd rycht to the king can mak.
1570 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xxii. 60 With hir to sport and play, With fauldit neif, and tak hir mony gird.
1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 79/1 When hee toucheth them to the quicke, when hee giueth them girdes with ye spurre.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > [noun] > one who or that which is successful > that which is successful > a successful stroke
gird1513
feat1564
grand coup1752
coup1791
tour de force1802
hit1811
ten-strike1840
bull's-eye1857
score1901
strike1901
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid vii. vii. 51 Was it nocht evin be sik a fenȝeit gyrd, Quhen Paris..Socht to the citie Laces in Sparta, And thar the douchtyr of Lydea stal awa.
2. A sudden movement or jerk, a spurt of action; chiefly in phrases at a gird, for a gird, by fits and girds (cf. fit n.2 4c); also in a gird: (dialect), in a trice. Obsolete exc. dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > [noun] > sudden > a sudden dart
startc1330
gird1545
whip1550
shoota1596
whippeta1603
snap1631
jet1647
flirt1666
whid1719
dart1721
spout1787
with a thrash1870
sprit1880
divea1897
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 32 Lowsynge muste be..so quycke and hard yt it be wyth oute all girdes.
1570 Mariage Witte & Sci. i. sig. Aiv Agayne, with labor by it selfe, great matters compaste bee, Euen at a gyrde in very lyttel time or none wee see.
1633 T. Adams Comm. 2 Peter (ii. 18) 1004 The devotion of worldlings is all for a gird.
1672 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd i. 56 All that he saith either by fits and girds of Calvin, or in his justest narratives.
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. Gird, a very short space of time, a moment. ‘I'll be wi' you in a gird.’
1887 T. Darlington Folk-speech S. Cheshire Gird, only in the phrase ‘by fits an' girds’ = by fits and starts.
3. A spasm of pain, sudden pang. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > types of pain > [noun] > sudden pain
stitchc1000
showera1300
shutea1300
gridea1400
gripa1400
shota1400
stounda1400
lancing1470
pang1482
twitch?1510
shooting1528
storm1540
stitching1561
stub1587
twinge1608
gird1614
twang1721
tang1724
shoot1756
darting1758
writhe1789
catch1830
lightning pain1860
twitcher1877
rash1900
1614 T. Adams Diuells Banket v. 213 What is..the torment of the reynes, to the stitches, girds, and gripes of an aking Conscience?
1694 R. South 12 Serm. II. 42 Old Age comes..attended with..many painfull Girds and Achings.
1714 R. Steele Lover No. 7 My Heart relented, and gave me several Girds and Twitches.
1876 C. C. Robinson Gloss. Words Dial. Mid-Yorks. (at cited word) A poorly person will say, in humorous reference to his weak condition, ‘I's middling at meal-times, but I've hardish girds between.’
4.
a. A sharp or biting remark directed against a person; a gibe, ‘dig’, ‘hit’. In common use c1580–1700; now somewhat archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > jeering, taunting, or scoffing > [noun] > instance of
hoker-wordOE
gabc1225
scornc1275
jape1377
bourda1387
gaudc1440
knack1513
scoffing1530
gleekc1540
jest1548
to have a fling at?1550
snack?1554
boba1566
taunta1566
gird1566
flim-flam-flirt1573
gibe1573
scoff1573
flouting-stock1593
mycterism1593
flirt1613
fleera1616
scomma1620
jeer1631
snouchc1780
brocard1837
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > criticism > [noun] > instance of > sharp
quippy1519
quip1532
snack?1554
gird1566
pincha1568
quib1656
hitc1668
snapper1817
shy1840
shot1841
swipe1892
jab1905
licks1971
1566 T. Drant tr. Horace Medicinable Morall sig. aiiiiv Those that wyll them [sc. satires] write With taunting gyrds & glikes and gibes must vexe the lewde.
1676 A. Marvell Mr. Smirke sig. C2v Many a dry bob, close gird, and privy nip has he given him.
1744 R. North & M. North Life Sir D. North & Rev. J. North 288 For his Girds were oblique, and touched to the quick, but not directly exceptionable.
1834 H. Taylor Philip van Artevelde ii. iv. iii. 141 Lois of Sanxere, I ask thee in this presence, Fling'st thou these girds at me?
1881 Contemp. Rev. Dec. 894 I mean no gird at this tendency.
b. with punning allusion to gird n.1
ΚΠ
1593 T. Nashe Strange Newes 72 Thou shalt be double girt with girds.
5. dialect. An outburst (of laughter).
ΚΠ
?1746 ‘T. Bobbin’ View Lancs. Dial. 6 He seet up sich o gurd o leaughing os if id o bross'n.
1790 A. Wheeler Westmorland Dial. (1821) 103 She fetched up a girt gird a laffin, an sed [etc.].
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
girdv.1
/ɡəːd/, U.S. /ɡərd/ 1. † c. To clothe with or in a garment confined by a girdle. Obsolete. rare.† d. To bind (a horse) with a saddle-girth. (Cf. girth v. 2) Obsolete.
a. transitive. To surround, encircle (the waist, a person about the waist) with a belt or girdle, esp. for the purpose of confining the garments and allowing freer action to the body. Chiefly reflexive or passive; also, after Biblical phrase, to gird one's loins, to gird one's reins, etc. Also to gird up, to gird about.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (transitive)] > in specific way > with specific garments > belt or girdle
girdc950
begirdc1000
belta1400
girdle1582
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)] > surround with
begirdc890
belayc893
bitrumc1000
umbegoc1300
vironc1440
compass1481
beset1578
entour1623
to fabricate about with1634
surround1635
hearse1646
gird1667
round1698
entwine1796
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. John xxi. 18 Mið-ðy [þu] uere giungra ðu waldes ðec gigyrde..miððy uutudlice ðu bist geuintrad..oðer ðec gyrdeð.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 307 Ge Schulen inan hetter & igurd liggen.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3149 Sod and girt, stondende, and staf on hond.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 1804 Coryneus first vp he stirt, & wyþ a cloþ his body gyrt.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Tobit v. 5 Tobie..fond a ȝung man stondende, ful faire, gird [1535 Coverdale gyrded vp], and as redi to gon.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Exod. xii. 11 Ȝe schulen girde about ȝoure reynes.
c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 7054 The lauendres kirtel on she cast, She gird hir, and tukked hir fast.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 432 b/2 For gyrdle he gyrded hym on his bare flesshe wyth a corde.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Kings iv. 29 Girde vp thy loynes, and take my staffe in thy hande, and go thy waye.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Luke xii. 35 Let youre loynes be gerded aboute.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 1113 Those Leaves They gatherd..And..together sowd, To gird thir waste. View more context for this quotation
1782 W. Cowper Truth in Poems 82 In shirt of hair, and weeds of canvas dressed, Girt with a bell-rope that the Pope has blessed.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake iii. 106 He girt his loins, and came.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iii. iv. 25 She girded herself with a white apron.
1872 Earl of Pembroke & G. H. Kingsley South Sea Bubbles vii. 176 They girded him with strange belts.
b. figurative. To prepare (oneself) for action; to brace up (oneself) for, to, or to do something. Often with up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (reflexive)] > for effort
girdc1450
bracea1500
buckle1570
accinge1657
screw1785
to work up1820
nerve1821
poise1831
to screw up1841
the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (transitive)] > specifically a person > a person or his attributes for an effort
before-girda1382
gird1592
muster1598
to wind up1602
to gather up1617
stringa1771
screw1821
clench1842
c1450 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi i. xix. 22 Girde þe as a man ayenst þe fendes wickednes.
1592 tr. F. Du Jon Apocalypsis xiv. 1 As ready gird to doe his office in the midst of the Church.
1673 W. Cave Primitive Christianity i. iii. 49 The mind is strengthened and girt close by indigence and frugality.
1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 247 [They] one in heart, in int'rest and design, Gird up each other to the race divine.
1822 W. Hazlitt Table-talk (1869) 2nd Ser. vi. 126 To gird themselves up to any enterprize of pith or moment.
1860 J. L. Motley Hist. Netherlands (1868) I. i. 15 He was already girding himself for his life's work.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (transitive)] > in specific way > with specific garments > belt or girdle > garment confined by
gird1382
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 2 Sam. vi. 14 Dauid is gird [L. accinctus; a1425 L.V. clothed; 1611 girt] with a surplees.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 408 Girt in his Gabin Gown the Heroe sate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > horse-gear > [verb (transitive)] > girth
girdc1330
warrok1362
resengle1485
girth1580
cinch1866
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 3985 Adoun þai liȝt & her hors girten.
c1420 Anturs of Arth. xxxix. 495 Gawayne and Galerone gurdene [v.r. dyghtis] here stedes.
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. xxxvii He is a fole..That to his saddyll wolde lepe on hye Before or he haue gyrt his horse.
?1567 Merie Tales Master Skelton sig. Bvii Skelton commaunded the Ostler to sadle his Mare, & the hosteler did gyrde the mare hard.
1677 G. Miege New Dict. French & Eng. ii. sig. V3/1 To gird a Horse, cengler un cheval.
2. figurative. To invest or endue with attributes, esp. (after biblical phrase) with strength, power, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > endow with qualities or attributes
girdc1000
enfortunec1374
due1395
endowa1420
endue1447
garnishc1450
invest1590
clothe1611
c1000 Ags. Ps. (1835) xvii. 31 [xviii. 32] Se god me gegyrde mid mægnum, and mid cræftum.
a1300 E.E. Psalter (Horstm.) xvii. 33 [xviii. 32] Lauerd þat girde me with might.
1388 J. Wyclif Psalms (Horstm.) xvii. 33 [xviii. 32] God that hath gird me with vertu.
1388 J. Wyclif Psalms lxiv. 7 [lxv. 6] Thou makest redi hillis in thi vertu, and art gird with power.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 126 The vyrgyn mari in whome thou hast cladde the in fayrnesse, & gyrthe the in strengthe.
1580 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David xviii. ix This God then girded me in his all-mighty pow'rs.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vii. 194 The Son On his great Expedition now appeer'd, Girt with Omnipotence. View more context for this quotation
1810 S. Rogers Voy. Columbus i. 3 Sent forth to save, and girt with God-like power.
1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound i. i. 51 The sights with which thou torturest gird my soul With new endurance.
1874 J. S. Blackie On Self-culture 14 Without carrying away any living pictures of significant story which might..gird them with endurance in a moment of difficulty.
3. To equip (oneself or another) with a sword suspended from a belt fastened round the body; sometimes with reference to investing a person with the sword of knighthood.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > arming or equipping with weapons > arm or equip [verb (transitive)] > arm with sword
girdOE
sworda1640
OE Genesis 2866 Hine se halga wer gyrde grægan sweorde.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls.) 3615 Mid is suerd he was igurd, þat so strong was & kene.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 3291 Þe kniȝt..gerd him wiþ a god swerd.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xx. 322 Gonnore..hir-self girde hym with his swerde.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 95 Vpon Easter day..he was gyrde with the sworde of the Duke of Briteyn.
1643 R. Baker Chron. Kings of Eng. i. 156 And because he had not yet received the Order of knighthood, he was by Henry Earle of Lancaster girt solemnly with the Sword.
1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. ii. 128 Was I for this entitled Sir, And girt with trusty sword and spur.
1848 ‘L. Mariotti’ Italy Past & Present I. p. xxv They gave her a standard; they girt her sons with the weapons of war.
4.
a. To fasten (a sword or other weapon) to one's person by means of a belt. Const. on, upon, to. Also with on adv.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > arming or equipping with weapons > arm or equip [verb (transitive)] > gird with weapon
girdc1000
c1000 Ags. Ps. (1835) xliv. 4 [xlv. 3] Gyrd nu þin sweord ofer þin þeoh [L. super femur tuum] þu Mihtiga.
a1300 E.E. Psalter (Horstm.) xliv. 4 [xlv. 3] Girde þi swerde of iren and stele Ouer þi thee.
1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. cc. 181 Andrew of herkela..worthely arrayed and with a swerd gurt aboute hym.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xliii. 146 He dyd on his helme and gyrte on his sword.
1555 R. Eden Of North Regions in tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 270v Hauynge theyr quyuers of arrowes gerte to them.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 714 My Bow and Thunder, my Almightie Arms Gird on, and Sword upon thy puissant Thigh. View more context for this quotation
1718 M. Prior Solomon on Vanity i, in Poems Several Occasions (new ed.) 406 The combatant too late the field declines, When now the sword is girded to his loins.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. xlv. 689 A trusty sword was constantly girt to their side.
1832 E. Bulwer-Lytton Eugene Aram I. i. iv. 75 His pistols were still girded round him.
1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge iii. 251 Girded to his side was the steel hilt of an old sword without blade or scabbard.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island v. xxii. 176 The doctor took up his hat and pistols, girt on a cutlass..and..crossed the palisade.
b. To secure (clothing, armour, etc.) on the person by means of a girdle; also to gird on, to gird up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (transitive)] > fasten
lace?c1225
gird1297
belta1400
buttona1425
garterc1440
lashc1440
pointa1470
trussa1475
lace1485
fasten1600
truss1610
bind1720
staylace1832
sandal1897
zip1929
to zip up1937
zipper1938
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 8962 Þo caste þis gode mold hire mantel of anon & gurde aboute hire middel a uair linne ssete.
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 316 Ȝif þise cloþis ben gurde & more large in widnesse, þei beren on hem more synne.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) John xxi. 7 Simon Peter..gyrde his mantell aboute him & sprange in to ye see.
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. O8v An olde gowne girded to him with a thong.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Kings xx. 32 So they girded sackcloth on their loynes. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 542 Let each His Adamantine coat gird well. View more context for this quotation
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. xi. 17 Bade the Greeks Gird on their armour.
1815 W. Scott Lord of Isles v. xxxiv. 218 Warn Lanark's knights to gird their mail.
1835 W. Irving Tour on Prairies 45 He rode with his finely shaped head and breast naked, his blanket being girt round his waist.
1855 C. Kingsley Heroes (1868) ii. 24 So Perseus arose, and girded on the sandals and the sword.
1877 J. Northcote Catacombs i. v. 71 With his tunic girt high about his loins.
c. To put (a cord, etc.) round something. rare.
ΚΠ
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. i. 20 Very strong Cords..which the Workmen had girt round my Neck, my Hands, my Body, and my Legs.
5. transferred and figurative.† a. To surround as with a belt; to tie firmly or confine. Also to gird up, to gird in, to gird about, to gird together. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > binding or tying > bind or tie [verb (transitive)] > bind > bind round or about
uptrussc1340
betiea1556
circumlige1572
circumligate1599
obligatec1600
gird1602
woold1775
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge ii. v. sig. E2v Then I Catch straight the cords end; and..offer a rude hand, As readie to girde in thy pipe of breath.
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xii. sig. B3v Sommers greene all girded vp in sheaues. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) Ecclus. xxii. 16 As timber girt and bound together in a building [etc.] . View more context for this quotation
1657 R. Ligon True Hist. Barbados Index to Plate 84 Two stantions of timber, which are girded together in severall places, with wood or iron.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost viii. 82 How [they will] gird the Sphear With Centric and Eccentric scribl'd o're. View more context for this quotation
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 128 For I take the seed..to be a cluster of bubbles wryed up snug, or a bottome of hoops or springs closely girt or knit together.
b. To encircle (a town, etc.) with an armed force; to besiege, blockade.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > besiege or blockade [verb (transitive)]
belieOE
besita1100
beset?c1225
assiege1297
besiege1297
belayc1320
umsiegea1325
ensiegec1380
environa1382
to set before1382
siege1390
forset?a1400
foldc1400
setc1400
to lay siege to, unto, about, against, beforec1449
oppugn?a1475
pursue1488
obsess1503
ferma1522
gird1548
begird1589
beleaguer1590
block1591
invest1591
intermure1606
blockade1684
to lay blockade to1713
leaguer1720
to form the siege1776
cerne1857
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. cliijv He..determined to get the town of Vernoyle in perche, & gyrd it round about with a strong seage.
a1592 R. Greene Hist. Orlando Furioso (1594) sig. Cii But trust me Princes I haue girt his fort, And I will sacke it.
a1627 J. Hayward Ann. Four Years Elizabeth (1840) 66 But the French was so streightly girt up within Lieth, that no supplies were brought unto them.
1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision I. xiv. 60 This of the seven kings was one, Who girt the Theban walls with siege.
1867 C. Dickens Let. 17 Mar. (1999) XI. 337 The whole place is secretly girt in with a military force.
c. To fasten tightly, draw close (as a fetter or bond) upon a person. rare.
ΚΠ
1738 D. Neal Hist. Puritans IV. iii. 139 His Highness girt the Laws close upon the Papists.
6.
a. Said of that which surrounds: To encircle, enclose, confine.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)]
befong971
beclipc1000
begoc1000
belieOE
bestandc1000
to go about ——OE
umbegangc1200
behema1250
befallc1275
berunc1275
girdc1290
bihalvena1300
umlapa1300
umlaya1300
umlouka1300
umbegoc1300
belayc1320
halsea1340
enclose1340
umbelapa1350
embracec1360
betrendc1374
circlec1374
umbecasta1375
to give about1382
environa1393
umbeclipa1395
compassa1400
encircle?a1400
enourle?a1400
umbegivea1400
umbeseta1400
umbeliec1400
umbetighc1400
enroundc1420
measurec1425
umbsteadc1450
adviron?1473
purprise1481
umbeviron1489
belta1500
girtha1500
overgirda1500
engirt15..
envirea1513
round?a1513
brace1513
umbereach1513
becompass1520
circuea1533
girtc1540
umbsetc1540
circule1553
encompass1555
circulate?a1560
ingyre1568
to do about1571
engird1573
circumdate1578
succinge1578
employ1579
circuate1581
girdle1582
wheel1582
circumgyre1583
enring1589
ringa1592
embail1593
enfold1596
invier1596
stem1596
circumcingle1599
ingert1599
engirdle1602
circulize1603
circumscribe1605
begirt1608
to go round1610
enwheela1616
surround1616
shingle1621
encirculize1624
circumviron1632
beround1643
orba1644
circumference1646
becircle1648
incircuitc1650
circumcinge1657
circumtend1684
besiege1686
cincture1789
zone1795
cravat1814
encincture1820
circumvent1824
begirdle1837
perambulate1863
cordon1891
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 206 Some of þe naddrene biclupten heom so faste al a-boute Þat heom þouȝte heo scholden to-berste so streite heo gurden heom with-oute.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xvii. 616 Gret flaggatis tharof thai maid, Gyrdit with Irne-bandis braid.
1749 T. Smollett Regicide v. ix. 79 An Iron Crown, intensely hot, shall gird Thy hoary Temples.
1781 W. Cowper Retirem. 243 Girt with a chain he cannot wish to break His only bliss is sorrow for her sake.
1822 J. M. Good Study Med. IV. 573 A discoloration..which extended..over the loins, and very nearly girded the body.
1843 T. Carlyle Past & Present iii. ii. 202 Girt with the iron ring of Fate.
1864 Ld. Tennyson Enoch Arden in Enoch Arden, etc. 9 Then first since Enoch's golden ring had girt Her finger [etc.].
1868 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) II. viii. 197 A mighty mound girded by a fosse.
b. of natural surroundings or barriers, esp. of rivers.
ΚΠ
1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Trauellers Breuiat 7 The nauigable riuers, whereof some (as it were) gird in the whole realme.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) iv. ix. 20 Like to his Iland, gyrt in with the Ocean. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 276 That Nyseian Ile Girt with the River Triton. View more context for this quotation
1809 N. Pinkney Trav. South of France 27 This lawn..was girded entirely around by a circle of lofty trees.
1853 G. Johnston Terra Lindisfarnensis I. 13 The range thus girds in and defines the plain.
1880 J. Thomson City of Dreadful Night 4 A river girds the city west and south.
c. of a ring or crowd of people; chiefly reflexive or passive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > surround or lie around [verb (transitive)] > as people
bitrumc1000
environc1384
compass1388
encompass1555
ringa1592
enclose1611
gird1671
envelop1683
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1415 Your company along I will not wish, lest it perhaps offend them To see me girt with Friends. View more context for this quotation
1815 W. Wordsworth White Doe of Rylstone iii. 50 They stood, and girt their Father round.
a1839 W. M. Praed Poems (1864) II. 37 Girt with a crowd of listening Graces, With expectation on their faces.
1864 Ld. Tennyson Boadicea 5 Boadicea..Girt by half the tribes of Britain.
d. of immaterial surroundings (chiefly passive).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > wrapping > wrap [verb (transitive)] > enfold or envelop > in a surrounding medium
belapc1175
take?a1300
wrapa1382
environa1393
enumberc1400
involvea1420
enfoldc1425
bewrapa1430
mantlec1450
envelop1474
enwrap1545
imply1590
circumvolve1607
circumfuse1608
becloaka1618
swathe1624
gird1645
wrap1656
velope1722
steep1798
bathe1816
cloak1818
impall1852
atmosphere1881
kirtle1888
1645 J. Milton On Christ's Nativity: Hymn xxii, in Poems 10 Ashtaroth..Now sits not girt with Tapers holy shine.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 120 So to the Coast of Jordan he directs His easie steps; girded with snaky wiles. View more context for this quotation
1832 Ld. Tennyson Palace of Art lxxi, in Poems (new ed.) 88 Shut up as in a crumbling tomb, girt round With blackness as a solid wall.
1836 H. Holland Med. Notes (1839) 274 It is well worthy of note..how long in fact it [life] may continue, thus narrowed and girt in on every side.
1847 L. Hunt Jar of Honey (1848) ix. 120 Unheard was shepherd's song, And silence girt the woods.
e. To move round. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement in circle or curve > cause to move in circle or curve [verb (transitive)] > move in circle round something
umgoa1300
compassc1384
gyrec1420
environ?a1425
circuitc1550
revolve1559
circle1582
to put (also make, cast) a girdle (round) about1600
encirclea1616
encompass1640
whirla1657
circulate1685
gird1688
circumgyrate1868
1688 M. Prior Ode Exod. iii. 14 iii. 14, 51 Why does each consenting Sign With prudent Harmony combine..To gird the Globe, and regulate the Year?
1812 R. Woodhouse Elem. Treat. Astron. v. 20 They [Navigators] must therefore have surrounded, or girded the Earth.
ΚΠ
1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. x. 187 The String..will touch and gird more upon the Groove of the Work, and consequently..will the better command the Work about.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
girdv.2
/ɡəːd/, U.S. /ɡərd/ a. transitive. To strike, smite. Often with adverb complement describing the effect of the stroke, as to gird down, to gird off, to gird out, also to gird in two, to gird to death, to gird to ground, etc. Also of pain: To touch sharply (rare).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)]
swingc725
slayc825
knockc1000
platOE
swengea1225
swipa1225
kill?c1225
girdc1275
hitc1275
befta1300
anhitc1300
frapa1330
lushc1330
reddec1330
takec1330
popc1390
swapa1400
jod?14..
quella1425
suffetc1440
smith1451
nolpc1540
bedunch1567
percuss1575
noba1586
affrap1590
cuff?1611
doda1661
buffa1796
pug1802
nob1811
scud1814
bunt1825
belt1838
duntle1850
punt1886
plunk1888
potch1892
to stick one on1910
clunk1943
zonk1950
the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > suffer pain [verb (transitive)] > cause pain
aileOE
grieve?c1225
girdc1275
painc1375
putc1390
sorea1400
troublec1400
anguisha1425
vex?c1425
urn1488
suffera1500
exagitate1532
fire1602
trachle1889
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 800 He gurde Suard on þat hæfd þat he grund sohte.
13.. K. Alis. 2299 A-two peces he hadde him gurd, No hadde Glitoun y-come.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1240 Grimly wiþ gret cours eiȝþer gerdeþ oþer. & william wiþ god wille so wel þe duk hitt, þat þurth scheld & scholder þe scharpe spere grint.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2729 Duk Basyn..þorȝ þe heued i-gerd þer was, & ful doun ded.
a1400–50 Alexander 2474 Settis all þe gailis on gledis & girdis doun þe wallis.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiii. 152 If I trespas eft, Gyrd of my heede.
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Trial of Fox l. 1022 in Poems (1981) 42 With that the meir gird him vpon the gumis.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 177 Girde out the grete teth of the grym best.
1605 Bp. J. Hall Medit. & Vowes I. §92 When therefore some sodain stitch girds me in the side.
1612 W. Martyn Youths Instr. 91 The horseman..with a stiffe..cudgel so guirded and laced the backe..of his..master.
1618 S. Latham New & 2nd Bk. Falconrie xiv. 49 That will cause her [the hawk] to girde and master them, as it were, at the sowce.
b. absol. To deliver a blow. Also Scottish to let gird (cf. to let drive).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > strike or deliver blows [verb (intransitive)]
slay971
smitelOE
flatc1330
flap1362
acoupc1380
frapa1400
girda1400
hit?a1400
knocka1400
swap?a1400
wapa1400
castc1400
strike1509
befta1522
to throw about one1590
cuff1596
to let down1640
dunch1805
yark1818
bunt1867
a1400–50 Alexander 1219 Gers many grete syre grane & girdis þurȝe maillis.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 2062 [Gawayn] gordez [MS reads gordeȝ] to Gryngolet with his gilt heleȝ.
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. aii*v The grume..leit gird to schir kay Fellit the freke with his fist flat in the flure.
1568 Christis Kirk on Grene in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) II. 265 Thay girnit and lait gird wt granis ilk gossep vder grevit.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impelling or driving > impel or drive [verb (transitive)] > hastily or roughly
gird1377
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. v. 379 I Glotoun girt it [food] vp, er I hadde gone a myle.
a1400 Coer de L. 1086 In at hys [the lion's] throte hys arme he gerte, Rent out the herte.
a1400–50 Alexander 2227 Sum with gunnes of þe grekis girdis vp stanes.
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. cii* Thai..girdit out suerdis on the grund grene.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 10370 But the grekes were so grym, þai gird hom abake.
?c1600 (c1515) Sc. Field (Lyme) 94 in I. F. Baird Poems Stanley Family (D.Phil. thesis, Univ. of Birm.) (1990) 233 Many a gaping gunne was girde [c1650 Percy gurde] to the walles; There they fell at the first shotte, many a fell fothir.
3. intransitive. To move suddenly or rapidly; to rush, start, spring. Also to gird forth, to gird forward, to gird out, to gird together, to gird up. Obsolete exc. dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move swiftly in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move swiftly and suddenly
windc897
shootc1000
smite?c1225
flatc1300
lash13..
girda1400
shock?a1400
spara1400
spritc1400
whipc1440
skrim1487
glance1489
spang1513
whip1540
squirt1570
flirt1582
fly1590
sprunt1601
flame1633
darta1640
strike1639
jump1720
skite1721
scoot1758
jink1789
arrow1827
twitch1836
skive1854
sprint1899
skyhoot1901
catapult1928
slingshot1969
book1977
a1400–50 Alexander 1243 Ane Beritinus..Come girdand out of Gadirs, out of þe grete cite.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 911 Þe grounde of gomorre [schal] gorde into helle.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) ii. 420 With yat come gyrdand in a lyng Crystall off Seytoun.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid x. xiv. 161 Eneas gyrd abufe hym with a brayd.
1565 A. Golding tr. Ovid Fyrst Fower Bks. Metamorphosis ii. f. 3v They girded forth, and cutting through the clowds..they ouerflew the Easterne wynde apace.
1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 41v The freest horse at the whiske of a wand, gyrdes forwarde.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 428 No sooner hangs he by the hooke, but he runneth and girdeth with it in his mouth too and fro.
1887 T. Darlington Folk-speech S. Cheshire Gird, to push, hurry about. The word is common in the phrase ‘runnin’ an' girdin'.’
4. figurative.
a. absol. To make ‘hits’ at, to jest or gibe at (rarely against, upon). Also in indirect passive. (The current sense.)
ΚΠ
1546 J. Bale Actes Eng. Votaryes: 1st Pt. f. 41v Lete the gogle eyed Gardyner of wyncestre gyrde at yt tyll hys rybbes ake.
1608 T. Middleton Familie of Love (new ed.) ii. sig. B4 v J wonder why many men gird so at the Law.
a1639 W. Whately Prototypes (1640) i. xix. 173 You must labour to jest, scoff, and gird, or raile against such and such sinnes.
1679 J. Goodman Penitent Pardoned (1713) iii. vi. 371 Why doth he not reprove debauchery..rather than..be always guerding at the sanctified party?
1823 C. Lamb in Museum Foreign Lit. 3 563 You are always girding at what some pious..folk think to be so [sc. religion].
1862 G. A. Sala Seven Sons Mammon I. vi. 123 The clubmen talked club scandal and girded at the Committee.
1891 Times 11 July 11/2 Not only is each member of the Triple Alliance denounced and girded at in turn, but [etc.].
b. transitive. To assail with jest or sarcasm; to sneer or scoff at. ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > jeering, taunting, or scoffing > [verb (transitive)]
heascenc1000
gabc1225
tita1400
knackc1425
scoff1530
flout1551
taunt1560
gird1573
beflout1574
scoff1578
gibe1582
flirt1593
gleek1593
to geck at1603
to gall ata1616
jeera1616
gorea1632
jest1721
fleer1732
chi-hike1874
chip1898
chip1898
to sling off (at)1911
jive1928
sound1958
wolf1966
1573 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 29 Sum..he hath spitefully girdid behind there backs.
1628 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. vi. sig. C1 His life is a perpetuall Satyre, and hee is still girding the ages vanity.
1721 J. Strype Eccl. Memorials I. xxvi. 191 He girded him as he had done the Archbishop of York, telling him he looked for a new world.
1850 L. Hunt Autobiogr. xi. 184 The Examiner had been long girding him on incompetency.
Derivatives
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > [adjective] > cut-off
cutc1380
gird-off1382
resecate1530
resect1540
lopped1570
severed1581
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 2 Kings xx. 22 Thanne she wente into al the puple, and spak to hem wiseli, the which the gird of heed of Siba..casten forth to Joab.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
n.113..
n.21487
v.1c950v.2c1275- inaugurals
- inaugurate
- inaugurated
- inaugurates
- inaugurating
- inauguration
- inaugurations
- inaugurative
- inaugurator
- inaugurators
- inauguratory
- inaugurer
- inaugurize
- inaurate
- inaurated
- inauration
- inaureole
- inauspicate
- inauspicated
- inauspicious
- inauspiciously
- inauspiciousness
- inauspiciousnesses
- inauthentic
- inauthentically