[f. BELLY sb. + BAND.]
1. The band that passes round the belly of a horse in harness, to check the play of the shafts.
1523. Fitzherb., Husb., § 5. A cart-sadel, bakbandes, and belybandes.
1837. Marryat, Olla Podr., xxxvi. The shaft horse neither felt his saddle nor his belly-band.
2. Naut. ‘A slip of canvas stitched across a sail to strengthen the parts most liable to pressure.’ Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk. See BAND sb.2 6.
c. 1860. H. Stuart, Seaman’s Catech., 45. The reef bands and belly bands stretch from leech to leech.
3. The piece of string on the face of a kite to which the ball of twine is attached.
