Hi, Alexander! Recently you wrote in a message to All:
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Miss Champagne was dressed in an extraordinary mermaid outfit.
It was green and silver with velvety sea flowers dangling
from it. It had small teardrop shapes of net all over it, a
halter neck, a very low front, and a circular gap at stomach
level revealing Suky's emerald studded belly button.
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Is there a rule, or consideration why we omit an article or
pronoun before "stomach level"?
I don't know of a rule, but I see a pattern:
at eye level
at waist level or waist height
at ceiling height
These are rough approximations which we use when we don't know & probably don't need to know the exact measurements.
People come in different shapes & sizes... as do rooms in a building
... but if I say e.g. that I keep certain items at eye level, you'll understand I'm referring to the eye level of the person(s) most likely to remove them from the shelf &/or put them away. It may vary according to the height of the shelf & the number of people involved. The term "stomach" is ambiguous because it is often used to refer to the abdominal area in general. The author clarified it, however, by saying the audience could locate Suky's belly button... i.e. navel. The length of her legs etc. may best be left to the reader's imagination. :-))
--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)