Ventre

Fr. Belly; womb. When a piece of ordnance is off its carriage, and lies on the ground, it is said, among the French, to be upon its belly— etre sur le ventre. Se coucher VENTRE à terre . To lie down flat on your face. Le capitaine or donna à ses soldats de se coucher ventre à terre. The captain ordered his men to lie on their bellies. This frequently occurs in action, when any part of the line or detached body is so posted as to be within reach of the enemy’s cannon, and not sufficiently near to make use of its own musquetry. Demander pardon VENTRE à terre . To ask pardon in the most abject position.