Definition of the word belly

The word "belly" comes from Old English "bele", which referred to the abdominal region. This Old English word is derived from the Proto-Germanic "*beliz", which is also the source of the Modern German word "Bauch" and the Dutch word "buik". The Proto-Germanic word is thought to be derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*bel-", which meant "to swell" or "to bulge". This root is also the source of other English words such as "balk", "ball", and "bulge". The spelling and pronunciation of the word "belly" have remained relatively consistent over time, although its meaning has expanded to include not only the physical abdominal region but also the idea of the digestive system and the stomach. Today, the word "belly" is commonly used in many idiomatic expressions, such as "belly laugh", "easy on the belly", and " champagne belly".