{Pelvic arch}, or {Pelvic girdle} (Anat.), the two or more
bony or cartilaginous pieces of the vertebrate skeleton to
which the hind limbs are articulated. When fully ossified,
the arch usually consists of three principal bones on each
side, the ilium, ischium, and pubis, which are often
closely united in the adult, forming the innominate bone.
See {Innominate bone}, under {Innominate}.
Within the girdle of these walls. --Shak.
Their breasts girded with golden girdles. --Rev. xv.
6.
2. The zodiac; also, the equator. [Poetic] --Bacon.
From the world's girdle to the frozen pole.
--Cowper.
That gems the starry girdle of the year. --Campbell.
3. (Jewelry) The line ofgreatest circumference of a
brilliant-cut diamond, at which it is grasped by the
setting. See Illust. of {Brilliant}. --Knight.
4. (Mining) A thin bed or stratum of stone. --Raymond.
5. (Zo["o]l.) The clitellus of an earthworm.
{Girdle bone} (Anat.), the sphenethmoid. See under
{Sphenethmoid}.
{Girdle wheel}, a spinning wheel.
{Sea girdle} (Zo["o]l.), a ctenophore. See {Venus's girdle},
under {Venus}.
{Shoulder}, {Pectoral}, & {Pelvic}, {girdle}. (Anat.) See
under {Pectoral}, and {Pelvic}.
{To have under the girdle}, to have bound to one, that is, in
subjection.