Third-person singular present tense of gird; to encircle, bind, or secure with a belt or band.
From Old English gyrdan, from Proto-Germanic *gurdanan. The word originally meant to gird on or prepare oneself, especially with armor, which is why 'gird up' means to prepare for action.
The phrase 'gird your loins' appears in ancient texts as a command to prepare for battle by cinching tight your clothing—it became a metaphor for mental preparation that's still used today!
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