Belay
(Be*lay") v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belaid, Belayed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Belaying.] [For senses 1 & 2,
D. beleggen to cover, belay; akin to E. pref. be-, and lay to place: for sense 3, OE. beleggen, AS.
belecgan. See pref. Be-, and Lay to place.]
1. To lay on or cover; to adorn. [Obs.]
Jacket . . . belayed with silver lace.
Spenser.
2. (Naut.) To make fast, as a rope, by taking several turns with it round a pin, cleat, or kevel. Totten.
3. To lie in wait for with a view to assault. Hence: to block up or obstruct. [Obs.] Dryden.
Belay thee! Stop.
Belaying pin
(Be*lay"ing pin`) (Naut.) A strong pin in the side of a vessel, or by the mast, round which
ropes are wound when they are fastened or belayed.
Belch
(Belch) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belched (belcht); p. pr. & vb. n. Belching.] [OE. belken, AS. bealcan,
akin to E. bellow. See Bellow, v. i.]
1. To eject or throw up from the stomach with violence; to eruct.
I belched a hurricane of wind.
Swift.
2. To eject violently from within; to cast forth; to emit; to give vent to; to vent.
Within the gates that now
Stood open wide, belching outrageous flame.
Milton.
Belch
(Belch), v. i.
1. To eject wind from the stomach through the mouth; to eructate.
2. To issue with spasmodic force or noise. Dryden.
Belch
(Belch), n.
1. The act of belching; also, that which is belched; an eructation.
2. Malt liquor; — vulgarly so called as causing eructation. [Obs.] Dennis.
Belcher
(Belch"er) n. One who, or that which, belches.
Beldam
(Bel"dam Bel"dame) n. [Pref. bel-, denoting relationship + dame mother: cf. F. belledame fair
lady, It. belladonna. See Belle, and Dame.]
1. Grandmother; — corresponding to belsire.
To show the beldam daughters of her daughter.
Shak.
2. An old woman in general; especially, an ugly old woman; a hag.
Around the beldam all erect they hang.
Akenside.