Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Waist
Waist
,Noun.
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. Shakespeare
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 1828 Edition
Waist
WAIST
,Noun.
1.
That part of the human body which is immediately below the ribs or thorax; or the small part of the body between the thorax and hips.2.
That part of a ship which is between the quarter deck and forecastle. But in many ships now built, there is no quarter deck, and in such the waist is the middle part of the ship.