BELL Meaning and
Definition
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A bell is a hollow, cup-shaped metallic instrument that emits a clear, resonant sound when struck or rung. It typically consists of a rounded body with a narrow mouth at one end, and often has a clapper suspended inside. Bells are usually made of metal, such as bronze or brass, but can also be crafted from other materials like glass or ceramic. They come in different sizes and shapes, from small handbells to large church bells.
Bells are commonly used for various purposes in different cultures and contexts. They are frequently associated with religious or ceremonial practices and are found in temples, churches, and other places of worship. They often play a significant role in signaling the start or end of religious services, invoking divine presence, or marking special occasions like weddings or funerals.
Beyond religious or ceremonial use, bells have a wide range of practical applications. They have historically been employed as warning devices, alerting people to danger, such as fires, storms, or approaching enemy forces. On ships, bells are used to indicate time, signaling the start or end of shifts or watch periods for sailors.
Bells also hold symbolic and cultural significance. They can represent unity, celebration, peace, or warning, depending on the context. Moreover, bells have inspired idiomatic expressions, such as "to ring a bell" – meaning to trigger recognition or familiarity – or "as clear as a bell" – referring to a particularly distinct or resonant sound.
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• A hollow body producing musical sounds when struck; anything expanding mouth outwards like a bell, as the cups of flowers.
• To grow in the form of bells; to make a loud noise.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for BELL *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for BELL
Etymology of BELL
The word "bell" comes from the Old English word "belle" or "bella", which can be traced further back to the Proto-Germanic word "belan" or "bellan", meaning "to ring" or "to make a loud, hollow noise". This Proto-Germanic root is connected to the Latin word "bullire", meaning "to boil" or "bubble", as in the bubbling sound produced by a boiling liquid. Over the centuries, "bell" has retained its association with the sound it produces when struck or rung, and it has become a widely recognized term universally referring to various types of resonating, hollow instruments used to produce a distinctive sound.
Idioms with the word BELL
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saved by the bell
The idiom "saved by the bell" refers to being rescued or saved from a difficult or potentially embarrassing situation at the very last moment or just in the nick of time. The phrase originates from the sport of boxing, where if a boxer is about to be counted out (be knocked out) but the bell to signal the end of the round rings before the referee completes the count, the boxer is considered saved by the bell.
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ring the bell
The idiom "ring the bell" means to achieve something noteworthy or extraordinary, often used in the context of accomplishing a specific goal or reaching a significant milestone.
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bell the cat
To "bell the cat" means to undertake a difficult or dangerous task, often involving the assumption of personal risk or responsibility. The idiom is derived from the fable "Belling the Cat," which tells the story of a group of mice who come up with a plan to tie a bell around a cat's neck in order to be warned of its approach. However, none of the mice are willing to take on the dangerous task. Therefore, "bell the cat" refers to the act of stepping forward and courageously confronting a daunting challenge.
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bell the cat, who will
The idiom "bell the cat, who will?" refers to a situation where a risky or dangerous task needs to be done, but no one is willing to take on the responsibility or the danger associated with it. It often implies that even though a necessary action has been identified, nobody is willing to step forward and undertake it.
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Ma Bell
The idiom "Ma Bell" refers to the former nickname of the American telecommunications company AT&T. It symbolizes the dominant and influential status that AT&T had in the American telecommunications industry, particularly during its monopoly era from the late 19th century until its divestiture in 1984. The term "Ma Bell" is commonly used to represent the idea of a powerful and controlling entity in the telecommunications field.
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ring (someone's) bell
The idiom "ring (someone's) bell" means to cause someone to be reminded of or to recall something or someone familiar, often with a strong emotional reaction or sense of recognition. It can also refer to creating an impression or gaining someone's attention.
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(as) sound as a bell
The idiom "(as) sound as a bell" means to be in perfect condition, with nothing wrong or broken. It refers to something or someone that is robust, sturdy, and functioning optimally.
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give sb a bell
The idiom "give sb a bell" means to call or telephone someone.
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answer the bell
The idiom "answer the bell" means to respond or act quickly and efficiently when called upon or in times of need or opportunity. It originates from boxing, where fighters are expected to come to the center of the ring and be ready when the bell rings to start a round. This idiom is often used to convey the idea of being prepared, reliable, and responsive when faced with a challenge or task.
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(as) clear as a bell
The idiom "(as) clear as a bell" means something that is easily understood, expressed, or obvious. It refers to a clear and distinct sound that a bell produces, indicating that something is unambiguous and perfectly comprehensible.
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bear away the bell
The idiom "bear away the bell" refers to achieving victory or recognition, often in a competition or contest. It originates from the tradition of awarding a bell to the winner in certain sports or challenges, symbolizing their triumph. Thus, "bearing away the bell" implies being the best or leading in a particular area or endeavor.
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ring any bells, at ring a bell
The idiom "ring any bells" or "ring a bell" is used when something sounds familiar or strikes a chord in someone's memory. It implies recalling or recognizing something that has been previously heard or experienced.
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alarm bell
The idiom "alarm bell" is often used to describe a strong warning or indication of danger or trouble. It comes from the image of a bell ringing loudly to alert people of an emergency, signaling the need for immediate attention or action to address a potential problem.
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give (someone) a bell
The idiom "give (someone) a bell" means to make a phone call or contact someone by telephone. It suggests the act of reaching out or communicating with someone via a phone call.
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you can't unring a bell
The idiom "you can't unring a bell" means that once something has been said or done, it cannot be taken back or undone. It refers to the irreversible consequences or effects of certain actions or statements.
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bell, book, and candle things that are miraculous or that signal that
The idiom "bell, book, and candle" refers to things that are miraculous or serve as signals that something extraordinary or supernatural is happening. It originates from a Catholic ritual known as the "Rite of Excommunication" or "Excommunication by Bell, Book, and Candle," which was performed to officially expel someone from the church.
In this ritual, a bell would be tolled, a book of prayers and curses would be opened, and a candle would be extinguished, symbolizing the removal of the person from the church community. The idiom "bell, book, and candle" has since been used metaphorically to describe extraordinary events, mystical occurrences, or situations that defy normal expectations or beliefs.
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bell, book, and candle things that are miraculous or that signal that sth
The idiom "bell, book, and candle" refers to ancient Catholic excommunication rituals. These rituals involved ringing a bell, reciting specific prayers from a book, and extinguishing a candle to symbolize the banishment of a person from the church.
However, the idiom has evolved and is now commonly used to describe things that are considered miraculous or signal that something extraordinary or mysterious is happening. It implies a sense of awe, wonder, or supernatural occurrence.
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get (one's) bell rung
The idiom "get (one's) bell rung" refers to experiencing a sudden, forceful blow or impact to the head, usually resulting in a temporary loss of consciousness or dizziness. It is often used to describe the effect of a severe hit or injury to the head, causing a person to become disoriented or stunned.
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ring a bell
The idiom "ring a bell" means to sound familiar or to trigger a memory or recognition of something or someone.
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sound as a bell
The idiom "sound as a bell" refers to something or someone that is in perfect working condition, physically or mentally, without any flaws or issues. It signifies being healthy, strong, and without any defects.
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unring a bell
The idiom "unring a bell" refers to the impossibility of undoing or forgetting something that has already been said, done, or experienced. It signifies that once a certain knowledge or event has been revealed, it cannot be erased or undone.
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give (one) a bell
The idiom "give (one) a bell" means to call or telephone someone. It is used to express the idea of contacting someone via a phone call.
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clear as a bell
The idiom "clear as a bell" means that something is extremely clear or easy to understand, often with regards to sound or communication. It implies that the information or message being conveyed is unmistakable, precise, and easily comprehensible, similar to the distinct and unambiguous sound of a bell ringing.
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unring the bell
The idiom "unring the bell" refers to the impossibility of undoing or retracting something that has already been said or done. It signifies the inability to reverse the consequences or implications of a particular action or statement.
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give somebody a bell
The idiom "give somebody a bell" means to call or telephone someone.
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as clear (or sound) as a bell
The idiom "as clear (or sound) as a bell" means that something is unmistakably clear, loud, and easily understood. It implies that there is no ambiguity or confusion, and the information or communication is crystal clear, like the sound produced by a bell ringing.
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be as sound as a bell
The phrase "be as sound as a bell" means to be in excellent condition, both physically and mentally, without any flaws or problems. It suggests that something or someone is well-functioning, reliable, and completely trustworthy. Just as a bell produces a clear, resonant sound when struck, being "as sound as a bell" implies that there are no faults or weaknesses.
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bell out
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bell, book, and candle things that are miraculous or that signal that something
The idiom "bell, book, and candle" refers to things that are miraculous or signal that something extraordinary is happening or about to happen. It is often used to describe a mysterious or supernatural event.
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bell, book, and candle
The phrase "bell, book, and candle" is used to describe a process of excommunication or denouncing someone or something as being evil or outside the church's teachings. It comes from the Catholic Church's traditional method of excommunicating someone by ringing a bell, closing a book, and extinguishing a candle to symbolize their separation from the church.
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bear the bell
To be the leader or to take responsibility for something.
Similar spelling words for BELL
- belli,
- Beal,
- Beall,
- belew,
- bel,
- Beyl,
- belleau,
- belau,
- bello,
- below,
- Beulah,
- belly,
- belue,
- belay,
- bellah,
- BEIL,
- be well,
- Beaulah,
- bellow,
- Belia,
- belie,
- bellew,
- Beula,
- bewley,
- belle,
- Beale,
- Buell,
- Bella,
- bewail.
Conjugate verb Bell
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have belled
you
would have belled
he/she/it
would have belled
we
would have belled
they
would have belled
I
would have bell
you
would have bell
he/she/it
would have bell
we
would have bell
they
would have bell
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been belling
you
would have been belling
he/she/it
would have been belling
we
would have been belling
they
would have been belling
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would bell
you
would bell
he/she/it
would bell
we
would bell
they
would bell
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be belling
you
would be belling
he/she/it
would be belling
we
would be belling
they
would be belling
FUTURE
I
will bell
you
will bell
he/she/it
will bell
we
will bell
they
will bell
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be belling
you
will be belling
he/she/it
will be belling
we
will be belling
they
will be belling
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have belled
you
will have belled
he/she/it
will have belled
we
will have belled
they
will have belled
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been belling
you
will have been belling
he/she/it
will have been belling
we
will have been belling
they
will have been belling
IMPERATIVE
you
bell
we
let´s bell
to bell
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was belling
you
were belling
he/she/it
was belling
we
were belling
they
were belling
PAST PARTICIPLE
belled
PAST PERFECT
I
had belled
you
had belled
he/she/it
had belled
we
had belled
they
had belled
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been belling
you
had been belling
he/she/it
had been belling
we
had been belling
they
had been belling
PRESENT
I
bell
you
bell
he/she/it
bells
we
bell
they
bell
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am belling
you
are belling
he/she/it
is belling
we
are belling
they
are belling
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
belling
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have belled
you
have belled
he/she/it
has belled
we
have belled
they
have belled
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been belling
you
have been belling
he/she/it
has been belling
we
have been belling
they
have been belling
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
bell
SIMPLE PAST
I
belled
you
belled
he/she/it
belled
we
belled
they
belled
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