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death bell

American  

noun

  1. the bell that announces a death.


Etymology

Origin of death bell

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Gitl began reciting the Kaddish, rocking back and forth on the sleeping shelf with the sonorous words, and the prayer was like the tolling of a death bell.

From "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen

No, Master Soldier, the death bell doesn't ring for such corpses.

From Told by the Death's Head A Romantic Tale by J?kai, M?r

No more the rolling flood’s at his controul, Nor willing servant runs when he shall bid; But mournfully I hear the death bell toll, To hail him welcome to his lonely bed!

From Awd Isaac, The Steeple Chase, and other Poems With a glossary of the Yorkshire Dialect by Castillo, John

Thus the death bell at Axbridge, Somerset, states, For homesoever this bell doth toll The Lord have mercy on that sole!

From Curious Church Customs and Cognate Subjects by Andrews, William

She came and said to him, "My Edwin, live for me;" but on her way home she heard the death bell toll.

From Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama, Vol. 1 A Revised American Edition of the Reader's Handbook by Brewer, Ebenezer Cobham