Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Gird \Gird\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Girt}or {Girded}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Girding}.] [OE. girden, gurden, AS. gyrdan; akin to OS.
   gurdian, D. gorden, OHG. gurten, G. g["u]rten, Icel. gyr?a,
   Sw. gjorda, Dan. giorde, Goth. biga['i]rdan to begird, and
   prob. to E. yard an inclosure. Cf. {Girth}, n. & v., {Girt},
   v. t.]
   1. To encircle or bind with any flexible band.

   2. To make fast, as clothing, by binding with a cord, girdle,
      bandage, etc.

   3. To surround; to encircle, or encompass.

            That Nyseian isle, Girt with the River Triton.
                                                  --Milton.

   4. To clothe; to swathe; to invest.

            I girded thee about with fine linen.  --Ezek. xvi.
                                                  10.

            The Son . . . appeared Girt with omnipotence.
                                                  --Milton.

   5. To prepare; to make ready; to equip; as, to gird one's
      self for a contest.

            Thou hast girded me with strength.    --Ps. xviii.
                                                  39.

   {To gird on}, to put on; to fasten around or to one securely,
      like a girdle; as, to gird on armor or a sword.

            Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast
            himself as he that putteth it off.    --1 Kings xx.
                                                  11.

   {To gird up}, to bind tightly with a girdle; to support and
      strengthen, as with a girdle.

            He girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab. --1
                                                  Kings xviii.
                                                  46.

            Gird up the loins of your mind.       --1 Pet. i.
                                                  13.

   {Girt up}; prepared or equipped, as for a journey or for
      work, in allusion to the ancient custom of gathering the
      long flowing garments into the girdle and tightening it
      before any exertion; hence, adjectively, eagerly or
      constantly active; strenuous; striving. ``A severer, more
      girt-up way of living.'' --J. C. Shairp.