verb
gird
to surround something closely
Thick stone walls gird the old town on every side.
Etymology
The inherited verb means to encircle or fasten around. This sense applies that surrounding action to something enclosing another object closely on all sides.
More examples
- A dense hedge girds the garden.
- Steep cliffs gird the sheltered bay.
- The village is girded by a ring of hills.
Forms
gird · girds · girded · girt · girding
Similar words
- encircle
- Emphasizes forming a complete ring rather than surrounding closely.
- surround
- Means being all around, without necessarily being close.
- enclose
- Emphasizes placing something within a boundary or closed space.