Bĕl'lōws, n. sing. & pl.

(bĕl'lus), n. sing. & pl. [A-S. bælg, bælig, belg, bilig, bylig, bylg, bag, belly, bellows, blast-belg, a blast-bag, bellows, D. blaas-balg, Sw. blisbälg, Dan. blaasebælg, Ger. blasebalg; Goth. balgs, a leather bag or bottle, Ger. balg, case, skin, O. H. Ger. balch, palc, skin, bellows. It is allied to Lat. follis. The root is contained in O. H. Ger. belgan, pelcan, M. H. Ger. belgen, to swell, A-S. belgan, to swell with anger. Cf. BAG.] An instrument, utensil, or machine for propelling air through a tube, for various purposes, as blowing fires, ventilating mines, filling the pipes of an organ with wind, &c.

Hydrostatic bellows. See HYDROSTATIC.