chamber maid; female servant
Historical term for a female attendant or maid in a samurai or noble household. Not used in modern contexts.
area around the hips; waist area
Refers to the physical region of the hips or waist. This sense is rare and may be encountered in older texts or specific contexts.
He put his hand on his waist area and endured the pain.
In the Edo period, chamber maids served in the inner quarters of samurai households.
Compound of 腰 (こし, 'hips, waist') and 元 (もと, 'origin, base, vicinity'). The servant sense likely derives from the idea of being at one's side or attending closely.