girdle

/ˈɡɝdl̩/noun
Middle School
1

That which girds, encircles, or encloses; a circumference.

2

A belt or sash at the waist, often used to support stockings or hosiery.

3

A garment used to hold the abdomen, hips, buttocks, and/or thighs in a particular shape.

4

The line of greatest circumference of a brilliant-cut diamond, at which it is grasped by the setting.

5

A thin bed or stratum of stone.

6

The clitellum of an earthworm.

7

The removal or inversion of a ring of bark in order to kill or stunt a tree.

Sound Patterns & Rhymes

Rhymes

Words that share the same ending sound pattern

Alliteration

Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)

Assonance

Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing

Consonance

Words sharing similar consonant sound patterns — adds texture and cohesion to writing