Definition of girdle

The word "girdle" originally comes from the Old English word "gyrdil," which translates to "belt" or "bond." This word is related to the Old Norse "görðl" and the Old High German "girdil," both of which also mean "belt" or "girdle." The term "girdle" specifically refers to a clothing accessory worn around the waist to support or shape the body. It can be decorative, functional, or both. In fashion, a girdle refers to an undergarment that compresses and enhances the curves of the torso, hips, and thighs. In other contexts, "girdle" can also refer to a geological formation that circles the Earth like a belt, such as the mid-ocean ridge, or the outermost part of the Earth's atmosphere, which protects it from adverse space weather. Overall, the etymological origins of the word "girdle" reflect its original meaning as a tight-fitting clothing piece used to secure or bind the body. Today, the term continues to have a variety of meanings and applications across different fields and disciplines.