girdle
C1Neutral to formal; the undergarment sense is dated/historical. The anatomical and literary senses are technical/formal.
Definition
Meaning
A belt or cord worn around the waist, or something that encircles like a belt.
1. A woman's elasticated undergarment worn to shape the torso (chiefly historical). 2. A bony structure encircling the body, such as the pelvic or shoulder girdle. 3. A ring around something, e.g., a ring of hills or a girdle of trees around a field. 4. (Verb) To encircle or surround.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary modern use is either the anatomical sense or the verb meaning 'to encircle'. The undergarment sense is largely historical, evoking mid-20th century fashion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The undergarment sense is understood but equally dated in both varieties. No major lexical differences.
Connotations
In both varieties, the undergarment sense can have slightly humorous or old-fashioned connotations. The verb can sound literary.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both regions. More common in technical (anatomy, geology) or literary contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VERB] girdle something (with/in something)[NOUN] girdle of somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Gird (up) one's loins (related verb 'gird', not 'girdle')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Potentially metaphorical: 'a girdle of regulations'.
Academic
Common in anatomy, biology, geology, and literary studies.
Everyday
Rare. Mostly understood in historical/period contexts.
Technical
Standard in anatomy (pectoral girdle, pelvic girdle) and geography (girdle of mountains).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- A moat girdles the ancient castle.
- The motorway will soon girdle the entire city.
American English
- A thick forest girdles the lake.
- New suburbs girdled the old town centre.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She found an old girdle in her grandmother's wardrobe.
- The king wore a jewelled girdle.
- The pelvic girdle is a crucial structure for weight-bearing.
- A ring of fortifications girdled the medieval city.
- Geological forces created a girdle of volcanoes around the basin.
- The novel's protagonist is metaphorically girdled by societal expectations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GIRL wearing a belt (GIRDLE) around her middle. Or: The mountains GIRDLE the valley like a belt.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENCIRCLEMENT IS A BELT; CONSTRAINT IS A TIGHT GARMENT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'griddle' (сковорода-гриль).
- Основное значение не 'пояс' в общем смысле (это 'belt'), а пояс как опоясывающий объект или исторический корсет.
- Анатомический 'girdle' — это 'пояс' (плечевой пояс, тазовый пояс), а не конечность.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'girdel' or 'girdal'.
- Confusing with 'griddle' (a cooking surface).
- Using the verb form ('to girdle') when 'to surround' or 'to encircle' is more natural in modern English.
Practice
Quiz
In a historical or fashion context, what is a 'girdle' most likely to be?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is relatively low-frequency. It is most common in technical fields like anatomy or in historical descriptions.
A 'belt' is a general term for a band worn around the waist. A 'girdle' specifically implies something that encircles or binds, and historically refers to a more restrictive undergarment or a belt as part of historic dress.
Yes, it means to encircle or surround something, though it can sound slightly literary. 'The vines girdled the old tree trunk.'
It is understood but is considered dated. Modern shaping undergarments are more likely to be called 'shapewear', 'body shapers', or specific items like 'corsets'.
Explore