bull-roarer

American  

[bool-rawr-er, -rohr-] / ˈbʊlˌrɔr ər, -ˌroʊr- /

noun

1. a wooden slat that produces a roaring sound when whirled around one's head on the end of a string or thong, used by some peoples of the world in religious ceremonies and by others as a toy.

---

Etymology

Origin of bull-roarer

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bull-roarer

The bull-roarer gave out with a moaning "Owoo-ooo-ooo!"

From We Were There at the Oklahoma Land Run by Kjelgaard, James Arthur

In the first place the bull-roarer is associated with mysteries and initiations.

From Custom and Myth New Edition by Lang, Andrew

Both Greeks and savages employ the bull-roarer, both bedaub the initiated with dirt or with white paint or chalk.

From Custom and Myth New Edition by Lang, Andrew

Another leader carried the sacred bow and a bull-roarer, and they moved to its loud moaning sound.

From A Book-Lover's Holidays in the Open by Roosevelt, Theodore

Here then, in Zuni, we have the bull-roarer again, and once more we find it employed as a summons to the mysteries.

From Custom and Myth New Edition by Lang, Andrew