Obs. Forms: 3 (?), 4 brei gurdel, 4–5 braygirdle, brechgerdel, -gerdle, breek girdille, breggurdel, -dle, bre-, brei-, brigirdel, -dil, brygurdel, 5 braygurdylle, brekgyrdylle, brygyrdyll, breke-girdul, brigirdele, brekegyrdyl, bregyrdyle, 5–6 brekegyrdle, 6 breache gyrdle. [Corresp. to an OE. type *brécgyrdil, whence ME. Kentish brechgerdel, north. brekgyrdyl: the latter became by assimilation (cf. blackguard) breggirdel, bregirdel.]
A girdle or belt worn round the loins; a belt to keep up the breeches.
a. 1300. O. E. Misc., 193. Ȝif him ne schal … his brei gurdel quakie.
1340. Ayenb., 205. Þe writinge zayþ þet Ieremies brechgerdel rotede bezide þe wetere.
1388. Wyclif, Jer. xiii. 4. Take the brigirdil … which is aboute thi leendis.
c. 1400. Maundev., v. 49. Trees, that ben non hyere than a Mannes breek Girdille.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 51/1. Brygyrdyll, lumbare, renale.
c. 1500. Gloss., in Wr.-Wülcker, 629. Perysoma, braygurdylle.
1552. Huloet, Breache gyrdle, lumbare.
