ˈbelɪ n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1
the part of the
human body below the
chest, containing the
stomach and bowels. 2 the stomach,
esp. representing the body's
need for food. 3 the
front of the body
from the
waist to the groin. 4 the
underside of a four-legged
animal. 5 a a
cavity or bulging part of
anything. b the
surface of an
instrument of the
violin family,
across which the strings are placed. --v.tr. & intr. (-ies, -ied) (often foll. by out)
swell or
cause to swell;
bulge. øbelly
button colloq. the
navel. belly-dance an
oriental dance performed by a
woman, involving
voluptuous movements of the belly. belly-dancer a woman
who performs belly-dances, esp. professionally. belly-dancing the
performance of belly-dances. belly-landing a crash-landing of an
aircraft on the underside of the
fuselage,
without lowering the
undercarriage. belly-laugh a
loud unrestrained laugh. [OE belig (orig. = bag) f. Gmc]