bell

bell ► NOUN 1) a deep inverted metal cup that sounds a clear musical note when struck. 2) a device that buzzes or rings to give a signal. 3) (bells) a musical instrument consisting of a set of metal tubes, played by being struck. 4) Nautical 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. 5) a bell-shaped object or part.

► VERB 1) summon or indicate with a bell. 2) flare outwards in the shape of a bell.

● bell the cat — Cf. ↑bell the cat

● bells and whistles — Cf. ↑bells and whistles

● give someone a bell — Cf. ↑give someone a bell

● ring a bell — Cf. ↑ring a bell

ORIGIN Old English.