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. belly 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 ]