BELLY-FLAUGHT.
1. To slay, or flay, belly-flaught, to bring the skin overhead, as in flaying a hare, S. B.
Monroe's Iles.
2. It is used in Loth. and other provinces, in a sense considerably different; as denoting great eagerness or violence in approaching an object.
Ramsay.
3. It is also rendered, "flat forward."
J. Nicol.
BELLY-HUDDROUN.
V. [Huddroun].
BELLY-THRA, s. The colic.
Gl. Complaynt.
A. S. belg, belly, and thra, affliction. This term, I am informed, is still used on the Border.
To BELLWAVER, v. n.
1. To straggle, to stroll, S.
2. To fluctuate, to be inconstant; applied to the mind, S.
I am informed, however, that the pronunciation of the term in some places in the west of S. is bullwaver; and that it is primarily applied to a bull when going after the cow, and hence transferred to man, when supposed to be engaged in some amorous pursuit.
The origin of the latter part of the v. is obvious; either from E. waver or L. B. wayviare, to stray. Perhaps the allusion may be to a ram or other animal, roaming with a bell hung round its neck.
To BELT, v. a.
1. To gird, S.
Hence, in our old ballads belted knights are often introduced.
2. To gird, metaph. used in relation to the mind.
Bellenden.
3. To surround, to environ in a hostile manner.
Bellenden.
Isl. belt-a, cingere zona.
To BELT, v. a. To flog, to scourge, S.