Etymology : Middle English, from Old English gyrdan; akin to Old English geard yard; more at YARD
Pronunciation : 'g&rd
Function : verb
Date : before 12th century
1. put on a belt, encircle (i.e. with a strap); surround; prepare, equip; jeer, taunt. gird\gird\ , n. [see:
yard a measure.].
2. a stroke with a rod or switch; a severe spasm; a twinge; a pang. conscience is freed from many fearful girds and twinges which the atheist feels.
3. a cut; a sarcastic remark; a gibe; a sneer. i thank thee for that gird, good tranio.gird \gird\, v. t. [see:
gird, n., and cf. girde, v.].
4. to strike; to smite. [obs.] to slay him and to girden off his head.
5. to sneer at; to mock; to gibe. being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods.gird \gird\, v. i. to gibe; to sneer; to break a scornful jest; to utter severe sarcasms. men of all sorts take a pride to gird at me.gird \gird\ , v. t. [imp. & p. p. girt or girded; p. pr. & vb. n. girding.] [oe. girden, gurden, as. gyrdan; akin to os. gurdian, d. gorden, ohg. gurten, g. gürten, icel. gyr a, sw. gjorda, dan. giorde, goth. biga?rdan to begird, and prob. to e. yard an inclosure. cf. girth, n. & v., girt, v. t.].
6. to encircle or bind with any flexible band.
7. to make fast, as clothing, by binding with a cord, girdle, bandage, etc.
8. to surround; to encircle, or encompass. that nyseian isle, girt with the river triton.
9. to clothe; to swathe; to invest. i girded thee about with fine linen. xvi.
10. the son appeared girt with omnipotence.
11. to prepare; to make ready; to equip; as, to gird one's self for a contest. thou hast girded me with strength. xviii. 39.
12. A stroke with a rod or switch; a severe spasm; a twinge; a pang.
13. A cut; a sarcastic remark; a gibe; a sneer.
14. To strike; to smite.
15. To sneer at; to mock; to gibe.
16. To gibe; to sneer; to break a scornful jest; to utter severe sarcasms.
17. To encircle or bind with any flexible band.
18. To make fast, as clothing, by binding with a cord, girdle, bandage, etc.
19. To surround; to encircle, or encompass.
20. To clothe; to swathe; to invest.
21. To prepare; to make ready; to equip; as, to gird one's self for a contest. bind with something round or circular.
22. If you gird yourself for a battle or contest, you prepare yourself for it. With audiences in the US falling for the first time in a generation, Hollywood is girding itself for recession. to gird your loins: see:
loin. A sarcastic remark.