belly

nounstomach

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Synonyms for belly

noun stomach

More words related to belly

abdomen

noun. the stomach and area directly below in an animate being

abdominal

adjective. concerning the stomach and the area below it

Word Origin & History

Old English belg, bylg (West Saxon), bælg (Anglian) "leather bag, purse, bellows," from Proto-Germanic *balgiz "bag" (cf. Old Norse belgr "bag, bellows," bylgja "billow," Gothic balgs "wineskin"), from PIE *bholgh-, from root *bhelgh- "to swell," an extension of *bhel- (2) "to blow, swell" (see bole). Meaning shifted to "body" (late 13c.), then focused to "abdomen" (mid-14c.). Meaning "bulging part or concave surface of anything" is 1590s. The West Germanic root had a figurative or extended sense of "anger, arrogance" (cf. Old English bolgenmod "enraged;" belgan (v.) "to become angry").

Indo-European languages commonly use the same word for both the external belly and the internal (stomach, womb, etc.), but the distinction of external and internal is somewhat present in English belly/stomach; Greek gastr- (see gastric) in classical language denoted the paunch or belly, while modern science uses it only in reference to the stomach as an organ. Fastidious avoidance of belly in speech and writing (compensated for by stretching the senses of imported stomach and abdomen, baby-talk tummy and misappropriated midriff) began late 18c. and the word was banished from Bibles in many early 19c. editions. Belly punch (n.) is attested from 1811.

Example Sentences for belly

Your chattel is for growing corn, not for corn in a hog's belly.

But a ridiculous and childish fable of the belly and the rest of the members.

Another spends all he can rap and run on his belly, to be the more hungry after it.

The Vaisyas, who constitute the third caste, issued from Brahma's belly.

They laughed so at the jokes about her belly that the column itself vibrated.

They called down to Madame Gaudron to ask her if she could squeeze her belly through.

And to think that Gervaise used to fill her belly with fat goose!

With his face fat and rosy, his belly full, his brain empty, he felt happy.

In carving a pike, if the back and belly be slit up, and each slice drawn gently downwards, fewer bones will be given at table.

Scale and draw out the entrails of the fish without opening the belly, give them a wash, and let them drain from the water.

belly

Synonyms for belly

More words related to belly

abdomen

abdominal

balloon

ballooned

billow

billowed

belly

Synonyms .css-1u0ksf7{color:#d9d9d9;}for belly

More words related to belly

.css-1unrqcp{color:inherit;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}abdomen

abdominal

balloon

ballooned

billow

billowed

Synonyms for belly

abdomen