Waist, n.
[O. Eng. waste, A-S. wǽstin, form, figure, stature, O. H. Ger. wahst, increment, stature, Goth. vahstus, M. H. Ger. wöst, from A-S. weaxan, Goth. vahsjan, O. H. Ger. wahsan, N. H. Ger. wachsen, to grow.]
Sense 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. “Woman to the waist, and fair.” Milton.
I am in the waist two yards about. Shak.
Sense 2. Hence, the middle part of other bodies; especially (Naut.), that part of a ship which is between the quarter-deck and forecastle; the middle part of the ship.