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bell¹

(bĕl)

1. A hollow metal musical instrument, usually cup-shaped with a flared opening, that emits a metallic tone when struck.

2. Something resembling such an instrument in shape or sound, as:

a. The round, flared opening of a wind instrument at the opposite end from the mouthpiece.

b. bells A percussion instrument consisting of metal tubes or bars that emit tones when struck.

c. A hollow, usually inverted vessel, such as one used for diving deep below the surface of a body of water.

d. The corolla of a flower: "In a cowslip's bell I lie" (Shakespeare).

e. The body of a jellyfish.

3. Nautical

a. A stroke on a hollow metal instrument to mark the hour.

b. The time indicated by the striking of this instrument, divided into half hours.

v. belled, bell·ing, bells

v.tr.

1. To put a bell on.

2. To cause to flare like a bell.

v.intr.

To assume the form of a bell; flare.

Idiom:

bell the cat

To perform a daring act.

[Middle English belle, from Old English.]

bell²

(bĕl)

The bellowing or baying cry of certain animals, such as a deer in rut or a beagle on the hunt.

intr.v. belled, bell·ing, bells

To utter long, deep, resonant sounds; bellow.

[From Middle English bellen, to bellow, from Old English bellan.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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