gird

¹

[gurd]

verb (used with object)

girded, girt, girding. 

1. to encircle or bind with a belt or band.

2. to surround; enclose; hem in.

3. to prepare (oneself ) for action.

   He girded himself for the trial ahead.

   Synonyms: strengthen, fortify, steel, brace

4. to provide, equip, or invest, as with power or strength.

gird

²

[gurd]

verb (used without object)

1. to gibe; jeer (usually followed byat ).

verb (used with object)

1. to gibe or jeer at; taunt.

noun

1. a gibe.

gird

¹

/ ɡɜːd /

verb

1. to jeer (at someone); mock

2. (tr) to strike (a blow at someone)

3. (intr) to move at high speed

noun

1. 1. a blow or stroke

   2. a taunt; gibe

2. a display of bad temper or anger (esp in the phrases in a gird; throw a gird )

gird

²

/ ɡɜːd /

verb

1. to put a belt, girdle, etc, around (the waist or hips)

2. to bind or secure with or as if with a belt

   to gird on one's armour

3. to surround; encircle

4. to prepare (oneself) for action (esp in the phrase gird ( up ) one's loins )

5. to endow with a rank, attribute, etc, esp knighthood

gird

³

/ ɡɪrd /

noun

1. Also: girr. a hoop, esp a child's hoop

Other Word Forms

• girdingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gird¹

before 950; Middle English girden, Old English gyrdan; cognate with German gürten

Origin of gird²

1175–1225; Middle English gyrd a stroke, blow, hence a cutting remark, derivative of girden to strike, smite < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of gird¹

C13 girden to strike, cut, of unknown origin

Origin of gird²

Old English gyrdan, of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse gyrtha, Old High German gurten

Origin of gird³

a Scot variant of _girth

Example Sentences

Part of the point of the book is to tell people with Hollywood dreams that they’ll need to gird themselves emotionally and physically for the work.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, both nations have girded themselves for a lengthy confrontation.

From Los Angeles Times

But such extreme conditions are rare and individual homeowners can take steps to gird themselves against more-common wildfires.

From Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles County girded for a final day of red flag fire weather warnings Friday, before a day of relief amid the historic devastation of firestorms that hit the nation’s most populous county.

From Los Angeles Times

And federal employee unions are girding for a fight, according to The Journal.

From New York Times

Related Words

• brace