death bell

American  

noun

1. the bell that announces a death.

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Etymology

Origin of death bell

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

Many bitter old New Yorkers like myself, mark the shuttering of fiercely adored eateries and bars, as the tolling of the city’s death bell.

From The Guardian

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 Literature

Edward L. Morse, global head of commodities research at Citigroup in New York, said he “expects 2013 to be the year in which the death bells ring for the commodity supercycle.”

From New York Times

It’s an announcement with layers of ramifications, but it’s certainly not a death bell.

From Forbes

And still, like the tolling of a death bell above the city's life, two thoughts beat on his mind again and again, and gave him intolerable pain.

From Project Gutenberg