Difference between revisions of "Bell"

<p> BELL, n. </p> 1. A vessel or hollow body,used for making sounds. Its constituent parts are a barrel or hollow body, enlarged or expanded at one end, an ear or cannon by which it is hung to a beam, and a clapper on the inside. It is formed of a composition of metals. [[Bells]] are of high antiquity. The blue tunic of the [[Jewish]] High [[Priest]] was adorned with golden bells and the kings of [[Persia]] are said to have the hem of their robe adorned with them in like manner. Among the Greeks, those who went the nightly rounds in camps or garrisons, used to ring a bell, at each sentinel-box, to see that the soldier on duty was awake. Bells were also put on the necks of criminals, to warn persons to move out of the way of so an omen, as the sight of a criminal or his executioner also on the necks of beasts and birds, and in houses. In churches and other public buildings, bells are now used to notify the time of meeting of any congregation or other assembly. <p> In private houses, bells are used to call servants, either hung and moved by a wire, or as hand-bells. Small bells are also used in electrical experiments. </p> 2. A hollow body of metal, perforated, and containing a solid ball, to give sounds when shaken used on animals, as on horses or hawks. 3. Any thing in form of a bell, as the cup or calix of a flower. <p> To bear the bell, is to be the first or leader, in allusion to the bell-wether of a flock, or the leading horse of a team or drove, that wears bells on his collar. </p> <p> To shake the bells, a phrase of Shakespeare, signifies to move, give notice or alarm. </p>

<p> '''(1):''' (v. i.) To call or bellow, as the deer in rutting time; to make a bellowing sound; to roar. </p> <p> '''(2):''' (n.) The strikes of the bell which mark the time; or the time so designated. </p> <p> '''(3):''' (v. t.) To utter by bellowing. </p> <p> '''(4):''' (n.) A hollow metallic vessel, usually shaped somewhat like a cup with a flaring mouth, containing a clapper or tongue, and giving forth a ringing sound on being struck. </p> <p> '''(5):''' (n.) A hollow perforated sphere of metal containing a loose ball which causes it to sound when moved. </p> <p> '''(6):''' (n.) [[Anything]] in the form of a bell, as the cup or corol of a flower. </p> <p> '''(7):''' (v. i.) To develop bells or corollas; to take the form of a bell; to blossom; as, hops bell. </p> <p> '''(8):''' (n.) That part of the capital of a column included between the abacus and neck molding; also used for the naked core of nearly cylindrical shape, assumed to exist within the leafage of a capital. </p> <p> '''(9):''' (v. t.) To make bell-mouthed; as, to bell a tube. </p> <p> '''(10):''' (v. t.) To put a bell upon; as, to bell the cat. </p>

<p> <strong> BELL </strong> . A number of small bronze bells, both of the ordinary shape with clapper and of the ‘ball and slit’ form, have been found at [[Gezer]] ( <em> PEFSt </em> <em> [Note: Quarterly Statement of the same.] </em> , 1904, 354, with illustt.). The bells of ‘pure gold’ (&nbsp; Exodus 39:25 ), which alternated with pomegranate ornaments on the skirt of the high priest’s robe (&nbsp; Exodus 28:33 f.), were doubtless of one or other of these forms. Their purpose is stated in &nbsp; Exodus 28:35 , but the underlying idea is obscure (see the Comm.). The ‘bells of the horses’ of &nbsp; Zechariah 14:20 represent another word akin to that rendered ‘cymbals.’ Whether these ornaments were really bells or, as is usually supposed, small metal discs (cf. the ‘crescents’ of &nbsp; Judges 8:21 RV [Note: Revised Version.] ) Is uncertain. </p> <p> A. R. S. Kennedy. </p>