Past tense of 'gird,' meaning to encircle, secure with a belt or band, or prepare oneself mentally for something difficult.
From Old English 'gyrdan' meaning to gird or encircle. The word has been in English for over a thousand years, originally referring to the physical act of fastening a belt around the waist.
The phrase 'girt your loins' in the Bible became so famous that even modern English speakers sometimes use 'girt' without realizing it's an ancient word for securing clothing—medieval armor depended on being properly girted, so soldiers understood this word better than we do now.
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