— beltless , adj.
/belt/ , n.
1. a band of flexible material, as leather or cord, for encircling the waist.
2. any encircling or transverse band, strip, or stripe.
3. an elongated region having distinctive properties or characteristics: a belt of cotton plantations.
4. Mach. an endless flexible band passing about two or more pulleys, used to transmit motion from one pulley to the other or others or to convey materials and objects.
5. Mil.
a. a cloth strip with loops or a series of metal links with grips, for holding cartridges fed into an automatic gun.
b. a band of leather or webbing, worn around the waist and used as a support for weapons, ammunition, etc.
6. a series of armor plates forming part of the hull of a warship.
7. a broad, flexible strip of rubber, canvas, wood, etc., moved along the surface of a fresh concrete pavement to put a finish on it after it has been floated.
8. a road, railroad, or the like, encircling an urban center to handle peripheral traffic.
9. Slang. a hard blow or hit.
10. Slang. a shot of liquor, esp. as swallowed in one gulp.
11. Auto. a strip of material used in a type of motor-vehicle tire (belted tire) , where it is placed between the carcass and the tread for reinforcement.
12. below the belt , not in accord with the principles of fairness, decency, or good sportsmanship: criticism that hit below the belt.
13. tighten one's belt ,
a. to undergo hardship patiently.
b. to curtail one's expenditures; be more frugal: They were urged to tighten their belts for the war effort.
14. under one's belt , Informal.
a. in one's stomach, as food or drink: With a few Scotches under his belt, he's everyone's friend.
b. considered as a matter of successful past experience: I don't think our lawyer has enough similar cases under his belt.
v.t.
15. to gird or furnish with a belt.
16. to surround or mark as if with a belt or band: Garbage cans were belted with orange paint.
17. to fasten on (a sword, gun, etc.) by means of a belt.
18. to beat with or as if with a belt, strap, etc.
19. Slang. to hit very hard, far, etc.: You were lucky he didn't belt you in the mouth when you said that. He belted a triple to right field.
20. Informal. to sing (a song) loudly and energetically (sometimes fol. by out ): She can belt out a number with the best of them.
21. Slang. to drink (a shot of liquor) quickly, esp. in one gulp (sometimes fol. by down ): He belted a few and went back out into the cold.
[ bef. 1000; ME; OE; cf. OHG balz; both balteus; see BALTEUS ]
Syn. 3. BELT and ZONE agree in their original meaning of a girdle or band. BELT is more used in popular or journalistic writing: the corn or wheat belt. ZONE tends to be used in technical language: the Torrid Zone; a parcel-post zone. 15. girdle, encircle. 17. gird (on). 18. flog, lash.