D defs.my
Entry 7 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Belly

/(bĕl"ly̆)/ · Bel·ly · IPA /ˈbɛli/
01 n. That part of the human body which extends downward from the breast to the thighs, and contains the bowels, or intestines; the abdomen.
pl. Bellies ((-lĭz))
  1. 1.
    That part of the human body which extends downward from the breast to the thighs, and contains the bowels, or intestines; the abdomen.
  2. 2.
    The under part of the body of animals, corresponding to the human belly.
    “Underneath the belly of their steeds.” Shak.
  3. 3.
    The womb.[Obs.]
    “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee.” — Jer. i. 5.
  4. 4.
    The part of anything which resembles the human belly in protuberance or in cavity; the innermost part; as, the belly of a flask, muscle, sail, ship.
    “Out of the belly of hell cried I.” — Jonah ii. 2.
  5. 5.
    The hollow part of a curved or bent timber, the convex part of which is the back.(Arch.)
Phrases & compounds
Belly doublet — a doublet of the 16th century, hanging down so as to cover the belly.
Belly fretting — the chafing of a horse's belly with a girth.
Belly timber — food.
Belly worm — a worm that breeds or lives in the belly (stomach or intestines).
02 v. t. To cause to swell out; to fill.
imp. & p. p. Bellied; p. pr. & vb. n. Bellying
  1. 1.
    To cause to swell out; to fill.[R.]
    “Your breath of full consent bellied his sails.” Shak.
03 v. i. To swell and become protuberant, like the belly; to bulge.
  1. 1.
    To swell and become protuberant, like the belly; to bulge.
    “The bellying canvas strutted with the gale.” Dryden.