Bel·ly n.; pl. Bellies
1. That part of the human body which extends downward from the breast to the thighs, and contains the bowels, or intestines; the abdomen.
Note: ☞ 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.
2. The under part of the body of animals, corresponding to the human belly.
Underneath the belly of their steeds. --Shak.
3. The womb. [Obs.]
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee. --Jer. i. 5.
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. Arch. The hollow part of a curved or bent timber, the convex part of which is the back.
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.