Part 494

1. An ornamental branched candlestick.

2. A flower stand, fountain, or the like, of branching form.

3. (Pyrotechny) A kind of revolving firework.

4. (Fort.) A series of chambers in defensive mines. Farrow.

{ Gir"a*sole Gir"a*sol } (?), n. [It. girasole, or F. girasol, fr. L. gyrare to turn around + sol sun.]

1. (Bot.) See Heliotrope. [Obs.]

2. (Min.) A variety of opal which is usually milk white, bluish white, or sky blue; but in a bright light it reflects a reddish color.

Gird (grd), n. [See Yard a measure.]

1. A stroke with a rod or switch; a severe spasm; a twinge; a pang.

Conscience . . . is freed from many fearful girds and twinges which the atheist feels.

Tillotson.

2. A cut; a sarcastic remark; a gibe; a sneer.

I thank thee for that gird, good Tranio.

Shak.

Gird, v. t. [See Gird, n., and cf. Girde, v.]

1. To strike; to smite. [Obs.]

To slay him and to girden off his head.

Chaucer.

2. To sneer at; to mock; to gibe.

Being moved, he will not spare to gird the gods.

Shak.

Gird, v. i. To gibe; to sneer; to break a scornful jest; to utter severe sarcasms.

Men of all sorts take a pride to gird at me.

Shak.

Gird (grd), 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¸rten, Icel. gyra, Sw. gjorda, Dan. giorde, Goth. bigaÌrdan 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.