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girth

(gûrth)

1. The distance around something; the circumference.

2. Size; bulk:a person of large girth.

3. A strap encircling an animal's body in order to secure a load or saddle on its back; a cinch.

tr.v.girthed, girth•ing, girths

1. To measure the circumference of.

2. To encircle.

3. To secure with a girth.

[Middle Englishgerth, girth strap, fromOld Norsegjördh, girdle; see gher-¹ in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

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girth

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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