BELT

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German balz ~; both from Latin balteus ~ Date: before 12th century 1. a strip of flexible material worn especially around the waist as an item of clothing or a means of carrying something (as tools), a similar article worn as a corset or for protection or safety or as a symbol of distinction, a continuous band of tough flexible material for transmitting motion and power or conveying materials, 3. an area characterized by some distinctive feature (as of culture, habitation, geology, or life forms), asteroid ~ , ~way 1, ~ed adjective ~less adjective II. verb Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to encircle or fasten with a ~, to strap on, 2. to beat with or as if with a ~ ; thrash , strike , hit , to mark with a band, to sing in a forceful manner or style , to drink quickly , intransitive verb to move or act in a speedy, vigorous, or violent manner, to sing loudly, III. noun Date: 1899 a jarring blow ; whack , drink