yellowbelly

noun

1
c
: callop
d
New Zealand : any of several flatfishes (as Ammotretis guntheri) that are important market fish
e
southern Africa : a guasa (Epinephelus guaza)
2
3
: one who is yellow : coward
was called a yellowbelly when he would not enlist at the beginning of the war
4
a
dated, disparaging + offensive : a person having yellowish or light brown skin
b
Southwest, dated, disparaging + offensive : mexican

Word History

Etymology

yellow entry 1 + belly

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Cite this Entry

“Yellowbelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yellowbelly. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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