belt
(bĕlt)
[Middle English, from Old English, ultimately from Latin balteus.]
noun
- A flexible band, as of leather or cloth, worn around the waist to support clothing, secure tools or weapons, or serve as decoration.
- Something that resembles this type of band: a belt of trees.
- An encircling route.
- A seat belt or safety belt.
- A continuous band or chain for transferring motion or power or conveying materials from one wheel or shaft to another.
- A band of tough reinforcing material beneath the tread of a tire.
- A geographic region that is distinctive in a specific respect: “This is America's rural poverty belt” (Charles Kuralt)
- Slang A powerful blow; a wallop.
- Slang A strong emotional reaction.
- Slang A drink of hard liquor.
transitive verb: belt·ed, belt·ing, belts.
- To encircle; gird.
- To support or attach with or as if with a belt: belt one's trousers; belted the sword to her waist.
- To mark with or as if with an encircling band.
- To beat with a belt or strap.
- Slang To strike forcefully; hit.
- Slang To sing in a loud and forceful manner: belt out a song.
- Slang To swig (an alcoholic beverage).
idioms
- below the belt
- Not according to the rules; unfairly.
- tighten (one's) belt
- To begin to exercise thrift and frugality.
- under (one's) belt
- In one's possession or experience: “By his mid-teens, Liszt had three years of intensive concertizing under his belt” (Musical Heritage Review)
