bell
bell
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "bell" is:
bɛl
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
bɛl
b: voiced bilabial stop
ɛ: open-mid front unrounded vowel
l: alveolar lateral approximant
Word Form Variations
The word "bell" doesn't have any plural forms. It remains the same in both singular and plural context
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun
A bell is a hollow object made of metal, typically with a clapper inside, that produces a ringing sound when struck.
Synonyms: chime, gong, peal
Antonyms: silence, quiet
Verb
To bell means to fit a bell to an animal, such as a sheep or a cow, to identify it.
Synonyms: tag, mark, label
Antonyms: unmark, erase
Examples of Use
General Public Discourse
"The church bell tolled solemnly, announcing the passing of a beloved member of the community."
"The school bell rang, signaling the end of the school day and the start of recess."
Literature
In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," the narrator's heightened senses make him hear the beating of the old man's heart as a loud, ominous bell.
In J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings," the ringing of the bells of Minas Tirith symbolizes hope and defiance against the forces of evil.
News and Online Publications
"The stock market bell rang, signaling the start of a new trading day." (The Wall Street Journal)
"The fire alarm bell blared, prompting a swift evacuation of the building." (Local News Report)
Entertainment
In the movie "It's a Wonderful Life," the ringing of the town's church bell signifies the spirit of Christmas and the power of human kindness.
In the TV show "The Simpsons," the school bell often rings with a comedic sound effect, signaling the start or end of a school day.
Other Media
In video games, bells are often used as collectibles or to trigger special events.
In mobile apps, a notification bell icon is commonly used to indicate new messages or alerts.
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Bell
"A bell's not a bell 'til you ring it, A song's not a song 'til you sing it, Love in your heart wasn't put there to stay, Love isn't love 'til you give it away!" - Donny Hathaway
"Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." - John Donne
"When the telephone bell rings, you remember Alexander Graham Bell." - Unknown
"The temple bell stops but I still hear the sound coming out of the flowers." - Matsuo Basho
"Once that bell rings you're on your own. It's just you and the other guy." - Unknown
"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings." (Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life*)
"Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils... The bell that measures time is ringing." (Hector Berlioz)
"The bells themselves were the best kind of company; their voices were always friendly, and they were the most dependable things in the city." (Anna Quindlen)
"I heard the bells on Christmas Day / Their old, familiar carols play, / And wild and sweet / The words repeat / Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "Christmas Bells")
"When the bell rings, change your religion." (Benjamin Disraeli)
Etymology
The word "bell" has a really old history. It comes from an even older language called Proto-Indo-European, which was spoken thousands of years ago. The word in that language sounded something like "bhel-" and meant "to sound, roar, or bark."
Over time, this word changed as languages evolved. It became "bellan" in Old English, which meant "to bellow or roar." Later, around the 1200s, it took on the meaning we know today: a hollow metal object that makes a ringing sound.
So, the next time you hear a bell ring, you can think about its long journey from an ancient word to the familiar sound we know today!
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Bell
Here are some common phrases and idioms using the word "bell":
Ring a bell: This means to sound familiar or to evoke a memory.
Example: "That name rings a bell, but I can't quite place it."
Saved by the bell: This phrase, often used in boxing, means to be rescued from a difficult situation just in time.
Example: "The struggling company was saved by the bell when a new investor came forward."
Bell the cat: This idiom refers to someone who is willing to take on a dangerous or difficult task.
Example: "Who will bell the cat and confront the boss about the unfair policies?"
While there aren't many other common idioms directly using the word "bell," we can find some using words with similar meanings:
Sound the alarm: This means to warn people of danger or a problem.
Toll the bell: This is often used metaphorically to signify the end of something or a loss.
It's important to note that the word "bell" itself doesn't appear in many complex idioms. This is likely because the word is more commonly associated with its literal meaning as an object that makes a sound. However, the phrases and idioms listed above are commonly used and well-understood.
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Source Information
Definition of bell from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
