Girding
/ˈɡɜːr.dɪŋ/noun
The act of surrounding, encircling, or fastening something with a band or belt; also the present participle of gird.
Did you know?In older English, *gird* could mean not just “to fasten,” but also “to strike” or “to mock,” showing how a single ancient root could swing from binding to attack.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gher-
“to grasp, enclose, or surround”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*gurdijaną
“to gird, fasten around”
Old English
Anglo-Saxon
gyrdan
“to gird, equip, or arm with a belt”
Middle English
English
girden
“to bind around, encircle, or prepare”
Modern English
English
girding
“fastening or surrounding; preparing for action”