begird

verb

1. (archaic, transitive)To bind with a band or girdle; to gird.

   “[A] Sagamore with a Humberd in his eare for a pendant, a black havvke on his occiput for his plume, Movvhackees for his gold chaine, good ſtore of VVampompeage begirting his loynes, his bovv in his hand, his quiver at his back, vvith ſix naked Indian ſplatterlaſhes at his heeles for his guard, thinkes himſelfe little inferiour to the great Cham; hee vvill not ſtick to ſay, hee is all one vvith King Charles.”

   “He was begirt with a clean linen apron which fell below his knees […]”

   “1876, William Morris (translator), The Æneids of Virgil, London: Ellis & White, Book 5, line 364, p. 130, Let him come forth to raise his arm with hide-begirded hand.”

2. (archaic, transitive)To encircle, surround, as with a gird; enclose; encompass.

   “[…] I will stand my self for the whole Regiment, and safer far in mine owne single valour, then begirt with cowards and with traitors.”

   “Who having round begirt the Palace, / (As once a moth they do the Gallows) / As Members gave the sign about / Set up their throats with hideous shout.”

   “1717, Arthur Maynwaring (translator), Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Fifteen Books, London: Jacob Tonson, Book 5, “The Story of Perseus continu’d,” p. 148, Perseus begirt, from all around they pour Their Lances on him, a tempestuous Show’r, Aim’d all at him […]”

   “[A]nd now I had him every way encircled and begirt; and having drawn him home to me, I kept him faſt there, as if I had ſought to unite bodies with him at that point.”

   “O lead me to that happy Path, Where I my GOD may meet; Tho’ Hosts of Foes begird it round, Tho’ Briars wound my Feet.”