Waist \Waist\, n. [OE. wast; originally, growth, akin to AS. weaxan to grow; cf. AS. w[ae]stm growth. See Wax to grow.]

1. That part of the human body which is immediately below the ribs or thorax; the small part of the body between the thorax and hips. --Chaucer.

I am in the waist two yards about. --Shak.

2. Hence, the middle part of other bodies; especially (Naut.), that part of a vessel's deck, bulwarks, etc., which is between the quarter-deck and the forecastle; the middle part of the ship.

3. A garment, or part of a garment, which covers the body from the neck or shoulders to the waist line.

4. A girdle or belt for the waist. [Obs.]

--Shak.

Waist anchor. See Sheet anchor, 1, in the Vocabulary.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)