bell

bell¹

noun

1》 a hollow object, typically made of metal and in the shape of a deep inverted cup, that sounds a clear musical note when struck.

    ↘the sound or stroke of a bell, used as a signal.

2》 (bells) a musical instrument consisting of a set of metal tubes, suspended in a frame and played by being struck.

3》 Nautical (preceded by a numeral) the time as indicated every half-hour of a watch by the striking of the ship's bell one to eight times: at five bells in the forenoon of June 11.

4》 something bell-shaped, in particular the end of a trumpet.

verb

1》 summon or indicate with a bell.

2》 flare outwards in the shape of a bell.

Phrases

bell the cat take the danger of a shared enterprise upon oneself. [an allusion to a fable in which the mice suggest hanging a bell around the cat's neck to have warning of its approach.]

bells and whistles attractive additional features or trimmings.

(as) clear (or sound) as a bell perfectly clear (or sound).

give someone a bell Brit. informal telephone someone.

ring a bell informal revive a distant recollection.

Origin

OE belle, of Gmc origin; perh. related to bell².

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bell²

noun the cry of a stag or buck at rutting time.

verb (of a stag or buck) make this cry.

Origin

OE bellan 'to bellow', of Gmc origin.