bel
1[ bel ]
/ bɛl /
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noun Physics.
a unit of power ratio, equal to 10 decibels.
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of bel
1First recorded in 1925–30; named after A. G. Bell
Words nearby bel
bejewelled, Bekaa, keen about, be, Békésy, Bekhterev, bel, Bela, belabor, belabor the point, belabour, Belafonte
Definition for bel (2 of 3)
Definition for bel (3 of 3)
Bel.
abbreviation
Belgian.
Belgic.
Belgium.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for bel
British Dictionary definitions for bel (1 of 2)
bel
/ (bɛl) /
noun
a unit for comparing two power levels, equal to the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the two powersSymbols: B, b See also decibel
Word Origin for bel
C20: named after Alexander Graham Bell
British Dictionary definitions for bel (2 of 2)
Bel
/ (beɪl) /
noun
(in Babylonian and Assyrian mythology) the god of the earth
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for bel
bel
[ bĕl ]
n.
A unit expressing the relative intensity of a sound, equal to ten decibels.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for bel
bel
[ bĕl ]
A unit of measurement equal to ten decibels.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.