waist
- waist
waist (
n.) "
middle part of the body," also "
part of a garment fitted for the waist," late 14c., probably from
O.E. *wæst "
growth," hence, "
where the body grows," from
P.Gmc. *wahs-tu- (
Cf. O.E. wæstm,
O.N. vaxtr,
Swed. växt,
O.H.G. wahst "
growth, increase,"
Goth. wahstus "
stature,"
O.E. weaxan "
to grow" see
WAX (
Cf. wax) (
v.)), from
PIE *wegs-, extended form of
root *aug- "
to increase" (see
AUGMENT (
Cf. augment)). Meaning "
portion of a garment that covers the waist" (but, due to fashion styles, often is above or below it) is from 1640s.
Etymology dictionary.
2014.
:
Look at other dictionaries:
waist — waist; waist·band; waist·coat; waist·coat·ed; waist·ed; waist·er; waist·less; shirt·waist·er; … English syllables
Waist — Waist, n. [OE. wast; originally, growth, akin to AS. weaxan to grow; cf. AS. w[ae]stm growth. See {Wax} to grow.] [1913 Webster] 1. That part of the human body which is immediately below the ribs or thorax; the small part of the body between the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
waist — [weıst] n 1.) the narrow part in the middle of the human body ▪ The skirt was too big around the waist. from the waist up/down (=in the top or bottom half of your body) ▪ Lota was paralysed from the waist down. stripped to the waist (=not wearing … Dictionary of contemporary English
waist — [ weıst ] noun count ** 1. ) the middle part of the human body that is usually narrower than the parts above and below: Jim put his arm around Carmen s waist. Marie wore a wide black leather belt round her waist. from the waist down/up: The… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
waist — [wāst] n. [ME wast < base of OE weaxan, to grow, WAX2: sense development: growth (of body), hence size, thickness] 1. the part of the body between the ribs and the hips 2. a) the part of a garment that covers the waist b) WAISTLINE … English World dictionary
waist — waist. См. перехват. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) … Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.
waist — ► NOUN 1) the part of the human body below the ribs and above the hips. 2) a narrow part in the middle of something such as a violin or hourglass. DERIVATIVES waisted adjective. ORIGIN probably from an Old English word related to WAX(Cf. ↑waxer) … English terms dictionary
Waist — The waist is the part of the abdomen between the rib cage and hips. On proportionate people, the waist is the narrowest part of the torso.Waistline refers to the horizontal line where the waist is narrowest, or to the general appearance of the… … Wikipedia
waist — noun 1 part around the middle of the body ADJECTIVE ▪ narrow, slender, slim, small, thin, tiny ▪ 34 inch, etc. VERB + WAIST … Collocations dictionary
waist */*/ — UK [weɪst] / US noun [countable] Word forms waist : singular waist plural waists a) the middle part of the human body that is usually narrower than the parts above and below Jim put his arm round Carmen s waist. Marie wore a wide black leather… … English dictionary
