Bellyband

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A band or strap wrapped around the midsection of the body ; a strap used to secure a saddle on a horse by fastening around its belly ; a broad band worn around the abdomen for support or to hold clothing in place, sometimes used during pregnancy
2. A belt-like strip encircling the waist area ; a piece of tack fastened under a horse's belly to keep the saddle stable ; a wide fabric strip carefully wrapped around the stomach to offer support or shape garments, often for maternity purposes
3. A horizontal band worn about the belly to secure or support ; a horse girth band that holds the saddle firmly by being fastened tightly around the animal's midsection ; a supportive broad band worn over the abdomen to help support clothing or a growing belly during pregnancy

Etymology: Bellyband is a plain compound of "belly" and "band," and its most surprising turn is in Japan. The Japanese garment called "haramaki," a wrapped abdominal band worn for warmth, was rendered into English as a calque, meaning a word-for-word translation of the Japanese term into English parts. So the English word now names a Japanese clothing item as well as the older senses. The original English uses are more literal. A bellyband is a piece of horse tack passed under a horse's belly to keep the saddle from slipping, and this sense is the oldest core of the word, tied to the practical world of harness. The meaning then widened to cover any strip wrapped around the midsection, including the wide supportive wraps used to shape garments or support the body during pregnancy.