book, and candle; an allusion to the popish form of
excommunicating and anathematizing persons who had
offended the church.

TO BEAR THE BELL. To excel or surpass all competitors, to
be the principal in a body or society; an allusion to the
fore horse or leader of a team, whose harness is commonly
ornamented with a bell or bells. Some suppose it a term
borrowed from an ancient tournament, where the victorious
knights bore away the BELLE or FAIR LADY. Others derive
it from a horse-race, or other rural contentions, where bells
were frequently given as prizes.

BELLOWS. The lungs.

BELLOWER. The town crier.

BELLOWSER. Transportation for life: i.e. as long.

BELLY. His eye was bigger than his belly; a saying of a
person at a table, who takes more on his plate than he
can eat.

BELLYFULL. A hearty beating, sufficient to make a man
yield or give out. A woman with child is also said to
have got her belly full.

BELLY CHEAT. An apron.

BELLY PLEA. The plea of pregnancy, generally adduced by