A nautical term possibly relating to the lee side of a ship, or to put something on the lee side; under the lee.
From 'be-' prefix combined with 'lee' (the sheltered side of a ship away from the wind). Used in sailing terminology where 'lee' indicates the downwind side of a vessel.
Sailing gave English some of its best spatial language—'belee' is sailors literally talking about putting things 'under the lee,' which is why naval terms feel so poetic even when they're just directions.
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