Adjacent Words

Bell definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

BELL, n.
1. A vessel or hollow body,used for making sounds. Its constituent parts are a barrel or hollow body, enlarged or expanded at one end, an ear or cannon by which it is hung to a beam, and a clapper on the inside. It is formed of a composition of metals. Bells are of high antiquity. The blue tunic of the Jewish High Priest was adorned with golden bells; and the kings of Persia are said to have the hem of their robe adorned with them in like manner. Among the Greeks, those who went the nightly rounds in camps or garrisons, used to ring a bell, at each sentinel-box, to see that the soldier on duty was awake. Bells were also put on the necks of criminals, to warn persons to move out of the way of so ill an omen, as the sight of a criminal or his executioner; also on the necks of beasts and birds, and in houses. In churches and other public buildings, bells are now used to notify the time of meeting of any congregation or other assembly.
In private houses, bells are used to call servants, either hung and moved by a wire, or as hand-bells. Small bells are also used in electrical experiments.
2. A hollow body of metal, perforated, and containing a solid ball, to give sounds when shaken; used on animals, as on horses or hawks.
3. Any thing in form of a bell, as the cup or calix of a flower.
To bear the bell, is to be the first or leader, in allusion to the bell-wether of a flock, or the leading horse of a team or drove, that wears bells on his collar.
To shake the bells, a phrase of Shakespeare, signifies to move, give notice or alarm.
BELL, v.i. To grow in the form of bells, as buds or flowers.
BELL'-FASHIONED, a. Having the form of a bell.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
2: a push button at an outer door that gives a ringing or buzzing signal when pushed [syn: doorbell, bell, buzzer]
3: the sound of a bell being struck; "saved by the bell"; "she heard the distant toll of church bells" [syn: bell, toll]
4: (nautical) each of the eight half-hour units of nautical time signaled by strokes of a ship's bell; eight bells signals
4:00,
8:00, or
12:00 o'clock, either a.m. or p.m. [syn: bell, ship's bell]
5: the shape of a bell [syn: bell, bell shape, campana]
6: a phonetician and father of Alexander Graham Bell (1819-1905) [syn: Bell, Melville Bell, Alexander Melville Bell]
7: English painter; sister of Virginia Woolf; prominent member of the Bloomsbury Group (1879-1961) [syn: Bell, Vanessa Bell, Vanessa Stephen]
8: United States inventor (born in Scotland) of the telephone (1847-1922) [syn: Bell, Alexander Bell, Alexander Graham Bell]
9: a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument [syn: chime, bell, gong]
10: the flared opening of a tubular device v
1: attach a bell to; "bell cows"

Merriam Webster's

I. biographical name Alexander Graham 1847-1922 American (Scottish-born) inventor II. geographical name city SW California SE of Los Angeles population 36,664

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Etymology: Middle English belle, from Old English; perhaps akin to Old English bellan to roar — more at bellow Date: before 12th century 1. a. a hollow metallic device that gives off a reverberating sound when struck b. doorbell 2. a. the sounding of a bell as a signal b. a stroke of a bell (as on shipboard) to indicate the time; also the time so indicated c. a half hour period of a watch on shipboard indicated by the strokes of a bell — see ship's bells table below 3. something having the form of a bell: as a. the corolla of a flower b. a bell-shaped organ or part (as the umbrella of a jellyfish or the dewlap of a moose) c. the part of the capital of a column between the abacus and neck molding d. the flared end of a wind instrument 4. a. a percussion instrument consisting of metal bars or tubes that when struck give out tones resembling bells — usually used in plural b. glockenspiel II. verb Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to provide with a bell 2. to flare the end of (as a tube) into the shape of a bell intransitive verb to take the form of a bell ; flare III. intransitive verb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English bellan Date: before 12th century to make a resonant bellowing or baying sound <the wild buck bells from ferny brake — Sir Walter Scott> IV. noun Date: 1862 bellow, roar

Oxford Reference Dictionary

1. n. & v. --n. 1 a hollow usu. metal object in the shape of a deep upturned cup usu. widening at the lip, made to sound a clear musical note when struck (either externally or by means of a clapper inside). 2 a a sound or stroke of a bell, esp. as a signal. b (prec. by a numeral) Naut. the time as indicated every half-hour of a watch by the striking of the ship's bell one to eight times. 3 anything that sounds like or functions as a bell, esp. an electronic device that rings etc. as a signal. 4 a any bell-shaped object or part, e.g. of a musical instrument. b the corolla of a flower when bell-shaped. 5 (in pl.) Mus. a set of cylindrical metal tubes of different lengths, suspended in a frame and played by being struck with a hammer. --v.tr. 1 provide with a bell or bells; attach a bell to. 2 (foll. by out) form into the shape of the lip of a bell. Phrases and idioms: bell-bottom 1 a marked flare below the knee (of a trouser-leg). 2 (in pl.) trousers with bell-bottoms. bell-bottomed having bell-bottoms. bell-buoy a buoy equipped with a warning bell rung by the motion of the sea. bell-founder a person who casts large bells in a foundry. bell-glass a bell-shaped glass cover for plants. bell-jar a bell-shaped glass cover or container for use in a laboratory. bell-metal an alloy of copper and tin for making bells (the tin content being greater than in bronze). bell-pull a cord or handle which rings a bell when pulled. bell-push a button that operates an electric bell when pushed. bell-ringer a person who rings church bells or handbells. bell-ringing this as an activity. bell-tent a cone-shaped tent supported by a central pole. bell-wether 1 the leading sheep of a flock, with a bell on its neck. 2 a ringleader. clear (or sound) as a bell perfectly clear or sound. ring a bell colloq. revive a distant recollection; sound familiar. Etymology: OE belle: perh. rel. to BELL(2) 2. n. & v. --n. the cry of a stag or buck at rutting-time. --v.intr. make this cry. Etymology: OE bellan bark, bellow

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Bell Bell, n. [AS. belle, fr. bellan to bellow. See Bellow.] 1. A hollow metallic vessel, usually shaped somewhat like a cup with a flaring mouth, containing a clapper or tongue, and giving forth a ringing sound on being struck. Note: Bells have been made of various metals, but the best have always been, as now, of an alloy of copper and tin. The Liberty Bell, the famous bell of the Philadelphia State House, which rang when the Continental Congress declared the Independence of the United States, in 1776. It had been cast in 1753, and upon it were the words ``Proclaim liberty throughout all the land, to all the inhabitants thereof.'' 2. A hollow perforated sphere of metal containing a loose ball which causes it to sound when moved. 3. Anything in the form of a bell, as the cup or corol of a flower. ``In a cowslip's bell I lie.'' --Shak. 4. (Arch.) That part of the capital of a column included between the abacus and neck molding; also used for the naked core of nearly cylindrical shape, assumed to exist within the leafage of a capital. 5. pl. (Naut.) The strikes of the bell which mark the time; or the time so designated. Note: On shipboard, time is marked by a bell, which is struck eight times at 4, 8, and 12 o'clock. Half an hour after it has struck ``eight bells'' it is struck once, and at every succeeding half hour the number of strokes is increased by one, till at the end of the four hours, which constitute a watch, it is struck eight times. To bear away the bell, to win the prize at a race where the prize was a bell; hence, to be superior in something. --Fuller. To bear the bell, to be the first or leader; -- in allusion to the bellwether or a flock, or the leading animal of a team or drove, when wearing a bell. To curse by bell, book, and candle, a solemn form of excommunication used in the Roman Catholic church, the bell being tolled, the book of offices for the purpose being used, and three candles being extinguished with certain ceremonies. --Nares. To lose the bell, to be worsted in a contest. ``In single fight he lost the bell.'' --Fairfax. To shake the bells, to move, give notice, or alarm. --Shak. Note: Bell is much used adjectively or in combinations; as, bell clapper; bell foundry; bell hanger; bell-mouthed; bell tower, etc., which, for the most part, are self-explaining. Bell arch (Arch.), an arch of unusual form, following the curve of an ogee. Bell cage, or Bell carriage (Arch.), a timber frame constructed to carry one or more large bells. Bell cot (Arch.), a small or subsidiary construction, frequently corbeled out from the walls of a structure, and used to contain and support one or more bells. Bell deck (Arch.), the floor of a belfry made to serve as a roof to the rooms below. Bell founder, one whose occupation it is to found or cast bells. Bell foundry, or Bell foundery, a place where bells are founded or cast. Bell gable (Arch.), a small gable-shaped construction, pierced with one or more openings, and used to contain bells. Bell glass. See Bell jar. Bell hanger, a man who hangs or puts up bells. Bell pull, a cord, handle, or knob, connecting with a bell or bell wire, and which will ring the bell when pulled. --Aytoun. Bell punch, a kind of conductor's punch which rings a bell when used. Bell ringer, one who rings a bell or bells, esp. one whose business it is to ring a church bell or chime, or a set of musical bells for public entertainment. Bell roof (Arch.), a roof shaped according to the general lines of a bell. Bell rope, a rope by which a church or other bell is rung. Bell tent, a circular conical-topped tent. Bell trap, a kind of bell shaped stench trap.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Bell Bell, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Belled; p. pr. & vb. n. Belling.] To put a bell upon; as, to bell the cat. 2. To make bell-mouthed; as, to bell a tube.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Bell Bell, v. i. To develop bells or corollas; to take the form of a bell; to blossom; as, hops bell.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Bell Bell, v. t. [AS. bellan. See Bellow.] To utter by bellowing. [Obs.]

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Bell Bell, v. i. To call or bellow, as the deer in rutting time; to make a bellowing sound; to roar. As loud as belleth wind in hell. --Chaucer. The wild buck bells from ferny brake. --Sir W. Scott.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(bells) Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English. 1. A bell is a device that makes a ringing sound and is used to give a signal or to attract people's attention. I've been ringing the door bell, there's no answer. N-COUNT 2. A bell is a hollow metal object shaped like a cup which has a piece hanging inside it that hits the sides and makes a sound. My brother, Neville, was born on a Sunday, when all the church bells were ringing. N-COUNT 3. If something is as clear as a bell, it is very clear indeed. There are 80 of these pictures and they're all as clear as a bell. PHRASE: usu v-link PHR 4. If you say that something rings a bell, you mean that it reminds you of something, but you cannot remember exactly what it is. (INFORMAL) The description of one of the lads is definitely familiar. It rings a bell. PHRASE: V inflects

Easton's Bible Dictionary

The bells first mentioned in Scripture are the small golden bells attached to the hem of the high priest's ephod (Ex. 28:33, 34, 35). The "bells of the horses" mentioned by Zechariah (14:20) were attached to the bridles or belts round the necks of horses trained for war, so as to accustom them to noise and tumult.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(metsilloth, pa`amon): The former of these terms occurs only once (Zec 14:20) where it is thus translated. It is derived from a verb meaning "to tingle" or "dirl" (1Sa 3:11), and there is, therefore, no objection etymologically to rendering the noun by "bells." But the little bell attached to the harness of horses would hardly be a suitable place for a fairly long inscription, and as buckles shaped exactly like cymbals (see MUSIC) were used as ornaments for horses, "cymbals" is probably a better rendering.

The other Hebrew word for bell is found only in Ex 28:33 f; 39:25,26, where "bells of gold" are directed to be attached to the hem of Aaron's official robe, that the people may hear him when he enters and quits the sanctuary. Bells were not employed by the Hebrews to summon the congregation to worship, nor do Mohammedans so use them at the present day. The church bell is a peculiarly Christian institution, said to have been introduced by Bishop Paulinus of Nola in Campania, who lived about the end of the 4th century. Little bells, however, like those attached to the hem of Aaron's robe, frequently form part of the harness of horses, or are fastened to the necks of the he-goats or wethers that lead the flock in eastern lands.

James Millar

Moby Thesaurus

Roman candle, aerophone, aid to navigation, alarm, amber light, arrest, balefire, battery, beacon, beacon fire, bell buoy, bells, blinker, blue peter, bones, bong, buoy, castanets, caution light, celesta, check, checkmate, chime, chimes, church bell, clapper, clappers, cowbell, crash cymbal, cutoff, cymbals, dead stop, deadlock, dinner bell, dinner gong, doorbell, double reed, embouchure, end, endgame, ending, final whistle, finger cymbals, fire bell, flare, fog bell, fog signal, fog whistle, foghorn, full stop, gamelan, glance, glockenspiel, go light, gong, gong bell, gong buoy, green light, grinding halt, gun, halt, hand bell, handbells, heliograph, high sign, horn, hour, idiophone, international alphabet flag, international numeral pennant, jingle bell, key, kick, knell, leer, lip, lockout, lyra, maraca, marimba, marker beacon, metallophone, minute, mouthpiece, nod, nudge, orchestral bells, parachute flare, passing bell, peal, percussion, percussion instrument, percussions, percussive, pilot flag, pipe, poke, police whistle, quarantine flag, radio beacon, rattle, rattlebones, red flag, red light, reed, rocket, sacring bell, sailing aid, semaphore, semaphore flag, semaphore telegraph, sheepbell, sign, signal, signal beacon, signal bell, signal fire, signal flag, signal gong, signal gun, signal lamp, signal light, signal mast, signal post, signal rocket, signal shot, signal siren, signal tower, sit-down strike, sizzler, sleigh bell, slide, snappers, spar buoy, stalemate, stand, standoff, standstill, stay, stop, stop light, stoppage, strike, tam-tam, telephone bell, the nod, the time, the wink, time, time of day, time signal, tintinnabula, tintinnabulum, toll, tongue, tonitruone, tooter, touch, traffic light, traffic signal, triangle, tubular bells, valve, vibes, vibraphone, walkout, watch fire, white flag, wigwag, wigwag flag, wind, wind instrument, wink, work stoppage, xylophone, yellow flag