Girth

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɡɜː(ɹ)θ/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)θ

Origin

Old Norse gjǫrð (whence the Icelandic gjörð), akin to Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌳𐌰, German Gurt. Cognate with Albanian ngërthej ("to tie, bind, fasten").

Full definition of girth

Noun

1. The distance measured around an object.
2. A band passed under the belly of an animal to hold various types of saddles in place.
• 1929, Baldwyn Dyke Acland, Filibuster Chapter 8, He was standing on the offside of his horse, holding up the flap of his saddle, with the surcingle#Noun
3. The part of an animal around which the girth fits.
4. (informal) One's waistline circumference, most often a large one.
• AddisonHe's a lusty, jolly fellow, that lives well, at least three yards in the girth.
5. A small horizontal brace or girder.

Synonyms

• circumference
• cinch

Verb

1. To bind as if with a girth or band.

Anagrams

• grith, right