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Dictionary

bell

Pronunciation: (bel), [key]
—n.
1. a hollow instrument of cast metal, typically cup-shaped with a flaring mouth, suspended from the vertex and rung by the strokes of a clapper, hammer, or the like.
2. the stroke or sound of such an instrument: We rose at the bell.
3. anything in the form of a bell.
4. the large end of a funnel, or the end of a pipe, tube, or any musical wind instrument, when its edge is turned out and enlarged.
5. Archit.the underlying part of a foliated capital.
6. Naut.
a. any of the half-hour units of nautical time rung on the bell of a ship.
b. each individual ring of the bell, counted with others to reckon the time: It is now four bells.
c. a signal on the telegraph of a large power vessel, made between the navigating officers and the engineer.
7. Zool.umbrella (def. 2).
8. Bot.the bell-shaped corolla of a flower.
9. Metall.a conical lid that seals the top of a blast furnace and lowers to admit a charge.
10. ring a bell, to evoke a memory, esp. a vague or partial recollection; remind one of something: His name rings a bell but I can't remember him.
11. ring the bell, to provide what is desired; be satisfactory or successful: This new book rings the bell with teenagers.
12. saved by the bell,
a. (of a boxer) saved from a knockout by the ringing of a gong signaling the end of a round.
b. (of any person) spared from anticipated trouble by some extraneous event.
13. with bells on, Informal.eagerly; ready to enjoy oneself: Just say when, and we'll be there with bells on.

—v.t.
1. to cause to swell or expand like a bell (often fol. by out): Belling out the tubes will permit a freer passage of air.
2. to put a bell on.

—v.i.
1. to take or have the form of a bell.
2. Bot.to produce bells; be in bell (said of hops when the seed vessels are forming).
3. bell the cat. See cat ¹ (def. 15).

bell

Pronunciation: (bel), [key]
—v.i., v.t.
1. to bellow like a stag in rutting time.
2. to bay, as a hunting dog.

—n.
the cry of a rutting stag or hunting dog.

Bell

Pronunciation: (bel), [key]
—n.
1. Ac•ton Pronunciation: (ak'tun), [key] pen name of Anne Brontë.
2. Alexander Graham, 1847–1922, U.S. scientist, born in Scotland: inventor of the telephone.
3. (Arthur) Clive (Howard), 1881–1964, English critic of literature and art.
4. Cur•rer Pronunciation: (kûr'ur), [key] pen name of Charlotte Brontë.
5. Ellis, pen name of Emily Brontë.
6. John, 1797–1869, U.S. political leader: Speaker of the House 1834–35.
7. a city in SW California, near Los Angeles. 25,450.

Belize

Bella

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