GIRTH

girth (g<<schwa>>rth). [Old English] 1. A measure of length, equal to a yard. • This term,

which was used in Saxon and early English law, was taken from the circumference of a man’s

body. 2. The area surrounding a church. 3. A place of sanctuary. 4. A band or strap that encircles

the body of an animal to fasten something (usu. a saddle) to its back. [Blacks Law 8th]