bel·ly (bĕl'ē)
n., pl., -lies.

1. See abdomen (sense 1).
2. The underside of the body of certain vertebrates, such as snakes and fish.
3. Informal.
   1. The stomach.
   2. An appetite for food.
4. The womb; the uterus.
5. 1. A part that bulges or protrudes: the belly of a sail.
   2. Anatomy. The bulging, central part of a muscle.
6. A deep, hollow interior: the belly of a ship.

intr. & tr.v., -lied, -ly·ing, -lies.
To bulge or cause to bulge. See synonyms at bulge.

phrasal verb:

belly up

1. To approach closely: belly up to the bar.

[Middle English beli, from Old English belg, bag.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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