Waist (?), n. [OE. wast; originally, growth, akin to AS. weaxan to grow; cf. AS. waestm growth. See Wax to grow.]
1. That part of the human body which is immediately below the ribs or thorax; the small part of the body between the thorax and hips.
Chaucer.
I am in the waist two yards about.
Shak.
2. Hence, the middle part of other bodies; especially Naut., that part of a vessel's deck, bulwarks, etc., which is between the quarter-deck and the forecastle; the middle part of the ship.
3. A garment, or part of a garment, which covers the body from the neck or shoulders to the waist line.
4. A girdle or belt for the waist. [Obs.]
Shak.
Waist anchor. See Sheet anchor, 1, in the Vocabulary.
© Webster 1913. | 
