Girdled: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word 'girdle' comes from the Old English 'gyrdel,' which means a belt or waistband that encircles.
• In Middle English, it evolved to describe anything that encircles or confines.

Botany

• In gardening, girdling refers to the practice of removing a strip of bark around the trunk of a tree to reduce nutrient flow and control growth.
• Girdling can also promote flowering in some fruit trees by stressing them.

Fashion

• Historically, girdles were popular in medieval and Renaissance fashion, often featuring ornate designs.
• They could have been used for practical purposes, such as holding pouches or tools.

Literature

• In literature, girdling can symbolize confinement or limitation, as characters may feel 'girdled' by societal expectations.
• Authors often use the concept metaphorically to represent emotional or social barriers.

Psychology

• The concept of 'girdling' in psychology can represent the mental barriers people create to protect themselves from perceived threats.
• Feeling girdled by one's obligations may lead to stress and anxiety in modern life.

At rank #28,820, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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• 28817 propertied
• 28818 labium
• 28819 disfigure
• 28820 girdled
• 28821 derisively
• 28822 plaintively
• 28823 pouted
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