■ noun ( plural bellies )
1》 the front part of the human trunk below the ribs, containing the stomach and bowels.
↘the stomach.
↘(also ~ pork ) a cut of pork from the underside between the legs.
2》 the rounded underside of a ship or aircraft.
3》 the top surface of an instrument of the violin family, over which the strings are placed.
■ verb ( bellies , ~ing , bellied ) swell or cause to swell or bulge.
Phrases
go ~ up informal go bankrupt.
Derivatives
-bellied adjective
Origin
OE belig 'bag', of Gmc origin.