belly

n.; pl. Bellies [ OE. bali, bely, AS. belg, bælg, bælig, bag, bellows, belly; akin to Icel. belgr bag, bellows, Sw. bälg, Dan. bælg, D. & G. balg, cf. W. bol the paunch or belly, dim. boly, Ir. bolg. Cf. Bellows, Follicle, Fool, Bilge. ] 1. That part of the human body which extends downward from the breast to the thighs, and contains the bowels, or intestines; the abdomen. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Formerly all the splanchnic or visceral cavities were called bellies; -- the lower belly being the abdomen; the middle belly, the thorax; and the upper belly, the head. Dunglison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The under part of the body of animals, corresponding to the human belly. [ 1913 Webster ]

Underneath the belly of their steeds. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The womb. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee. Jer. i. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Out of the belly of hell cried I. Jonah ii. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Arch.) The hollow part of a curved or bent timber, the convex part of which is the back. [ 1913 Webster ]

Belly doublet, a doublet of the 16th century, hanging down so as to cover the belly. Shak. --
Belly fretting, the chafing of a horse's belly with a girth. Johnson. --
Belly timber, food. [ Ludicrous ] Prior. --
Belly worm, a worm that breeds or lives in the belly (stomach or intestines). Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]