bellows

¹ American  

[bel-ohz, -uhz] / ˈbɛl oʊz, -əz /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. a device for producing a strong current of air, consisting of a chamber that can be expanded to draw in air through a valve and contracted to expel it through a tube.

2. anything resembling or suggesting bellows in form, as the collapsible part of a camera or enlarger.

3. the lungs.

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Bellows ² American  

[bel-ohz] / ˈbɛl oʊz /

noun

1. George Wesley, 1882–1925, U.S. painter and lithographer.

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bellows British  

/ ˈbɛləʊz /

noun

1. Also called: pair of bellows.  an instrument consisting of an air chamber with flexible sides or end, a means of compressing it, an inlet valve, and a constricted outlet that is used to create a stream of air, as for producing a draught for a fire or for sounding organ pipes

2. photog a telescopic light-tight sleeve, connecting the lens system of some cameras to the body of the instrument

3. a flexible corrugated element used as an expansion joint, pump, or means of transmitting axial motion

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Other Word Forms

• bellowslike adjective

Etymology

Origin of bellows

before 900; Middle English bel(o ) wes (plural), Old English belg, short for blǣst belg, plural belgas blast-bag; cognate with Dutch blaasbalg, German Blasebalg, Old Norse belgr. See belly

Example Sentences

Low, joyful bellows from the village reached her ears.

From Literature

He has a voice, provided by Aaron LaPlante, but communicates with Fang in grunts and bellows.

From Salon

“And whose fault is that?” he bellows, wagging a finger toward the ceiling of our cabin.

From Literature

Trombones bleat, a tuba bellows, drums are the heart.

From Salon

To learn how to restore his instrument, Rinaudo enlisted the help of a mechanic friend who taught him how to fix all the valves, gears, pipes and bellows.

From Los Angeles Times