weɪst n. 1 a
the part of the
human body below the ribs
and above the hips, usu. of smaller
circumference than these; the narrower
middle part of the
normal human
figure. b the circumference of
this. 2 a
similar narrow part in the middle of a
violin,
hourglass,
wasp, etc. 3 a the part of a
garment encircling or
covering the waist. b the narrow middle part of a woman's
dress etc. c US a
blouse or
bodice. 4 the middle part of a
ship,
between the
forecastle and the
quarterdeck. øwaist-cloth a
loincloth. waist-deep (or -high) up to the waist (waist-deep in water). øøwaisted adj. (also in comb.). waistless adj. [ME
wast, perh. f. OE f. the root of WAX(2)]