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s or thorax; the small part of the body between the thorax and hips. Chaucer. I am in the waist two yards about. Shak.

The band which encompasses the waist; esp., one on the upper part of breeches, trousers, pantaloons, skirts, or the like.

A cloth or wrapper worn about the waist; by extension, such a garment worn about the hips and passing between the thighs.

garment for men, worn under the coat, extending no lower than the hips, and covering the waist; a vest.

One wearing a waistcoat; esp., a woman wearing one uncovered, or thought fit for such a habit; hence, a loose woman; strumpet. [Obs.] Do you think you are here, sir, Amongst your waistcoateers, your base wenches Beau. & Fl.

A fabric designed for waistcoats; esp., one in which there is a pattern, differently colored yarns being used.

A seaman, usually a green hand or a broken-down man, stationed in the waist of a vessel of war. R. H. Dana, Jr.

Having a deep waist, as when, in a ship, the poop and forecastle are much elevated above the deck.

Having a long waist; long from the armpits to the armpits to the bottom of the waist; -- said of persons.

Having a flush deck, or with only a moderate depression amidships; -- said of a vessel.

A belted waist resembling a shirt in plainness of cut and style, worn by women or children; -- in England called a blouse.

A costume consisting of a plain belted waist and skirt of the same material.

Having a short waist.

Same as Strait-jacket.

e clothes clean, to defend them from injury, or as a covering. It is commonly tied at the waist by strings.

A coarse woolen stuff with a long nap; -- usually dyed in plain colors. A new black baize waistcoat lined with silk. Pepys.

with, or as with, a belt; to encompass; to surround. A coarse black robe belted round the waist. C. Reade. They belt him round with hearts undaunted. Wordsworth.

A wedge-shaped piece of cloth taken out of a garment (as the waist of a dress) to diminish its circumference.

A kind of under waist stiffened with whalebone, etc., worn esp. by women; a corset; stays.

A form of woman's underwaist stiffened with whalebones, or the like, and worn to support the breasts.