3 entries under this word
(18), n. [A-S. geard, gerd, gird, gyrd, rod, stick, twig; Eng. yard, N. H. Ger. gerte, switch; O. H. Ger. gerta, allied to Goth. gazds, goad; Gr. κέντρον, Icel. gaddr, nail; Lat. hasta, lance, spear.]
I thank thee for that gird, good Tranio. Shak.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. GIRDED, or GIRT; p. pr. & vb. n. GIRDING.] [A-S. gyrdan, O. Sax. gurtian, Goth. gairdan, Icel. girða, Dan. giärde, gierde, Sw. giorda, D. gorden, O. H. Ger. gurtan, N. H. Ger. gurten.]
Sense 1. To encircle with any flexible band; hence, to make fast, as clothing, by binding with a cord, a twig, a bandage, or the like; as, to gird on a garment, or a sword.
Sense 2. To surround; to encircle; to inclose; to encompass.
The Nyseian isle,
Girt with the River Triton. Milton.
Sense 3. To clothe; to dress; to invest; to equip. “Girded with snaky wiles.” Milton.
The Son appeared
Girt with omnipotence. Milton.
I girded thee about with fine linen. Ezek. xvi. 10.
Sense 4. [See GIRD, n.] To strike or give a blow to; hence, to lash with sneers or reproaches; to gibe.
“Gird off Giles’ head.” Piers Ploughman.
He will not spare to gird the gods. Shak.
v. i. [See GIRD, v. t., 4.] To gibe; to sneer; to break a scornful jest; to utter severe sarcasms.
Men of all sorts take a pride to gird at me. Shak.