bell cow

noun

1. a cow, especially the lead cow of a herd, having a bell attached to a collar around its neck so that the herd can be located easily.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bell cow¹

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

Example Sentences

The Deacon jingled it as he passed.223 "Goes with the bell-cow," he said, and nothing further was said of it.

From Project Gutenberg

The bell cow threw up her head and bellowed till the cow house echoed.

From Project Gutenberg

The bell cow threw up her head and with a loud, echoing bellow started to follow her.

From Project Gutenberg

The horses hurried ahead; the cows began to trot, the bell cow sending out an eager Moo-oo!

From Project Gutenberg

But the evening was come, and the bell-cow, home from her browsing, was ringing for admittance at the barn-yard gate.

From Project Gutenberg