'Waist anchor' definitions:

Definition of 'waist anchor'

noun

Spare anchor for use in emergency [syn: sheet anchor, waist anchor]

From: GCIDE

Waist \Waist\, n. [OE. wast; originally, growth, akin to AS. weaxan to grow; cf. AS. w[ae]stm growth. See Wax to grow.] [1913 Webster]
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. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
I am in the waist two yards about. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. Hence, the middle part of other bodies; especially (Naut.), that part of a vessel's deck, bulwarks, etc., which is between the quarter-deck and the forecastle; the middle part of the ship. [1913 Webster]
3. A garment, or part of a garment, which covers the body from the neck or shoulders to the waist line. [1913 Webster]
4. A girdle or belt for the waist. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Waist anchor. See Sheet anchor, 1, in the Vocabulary. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Sheet anchor \Sheet" an"chor\ [OE. scheten to shoot, AS. sce['o]tan; cf. OE. shoot anchor. See Shoot, v. t.]
1. (Naut.) A large anchor stowed on shores outside the waist of a vessel; -- called also waist anchor. See the Note under Anchor. [1913 Webster]
2. Anything regarded as a sure support or dependence in danger; the best hope or refuge. [1913 Webster]