waist

The waist is the part of the body between the ribs and hips, or the part of the clothes that cover this part of the body.

(noun)

An example of the waist is where a belt is usually worn.

See waist in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the part of the body between the ribs and the hips
1. the part of a garment that covers the waist
2. waistline (sense )
3. the part of a garment covering the body from the shoulders to a line above the hips
4. the upper part of a woman's dress; bodice
5. Archaic blouse
the narrow part of any object that is wider at the ends: the waist of a violin
Aeron. the middle section of the fuselage of an airplane, esp. a bomber
Naut. the central section of a ship; specif., the part of the deck between the forecastle and the quarterdeck
Zool. the narrow part of the front of the abdomen of certain insects, as ants or wasps

Origin: ME wast < base of OE weaxan, to grow, wax: sense development: growth (of body), hence size, thickness

See waist in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. The part of the human trunk between the bottom of the rib cage and the pelvis.
b. The narrow part of the abdomen of an insect.
a. The part of a garment that encircles the waist of the body.
b. The upper part of a garment, extending from the shoulders to the waistline, especially the bodice of a woman's dress.
c. A blouse.
d. A child's undershirt.
The middle section or part of an object, especially when narrower than the rest.
Nautical The middle part of the upper deck of a ship between the forecastle and the quarterdeck.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English wast

Origin: , perhaps from Old English *wǽst, growth, size; see aug- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: