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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.

See Examples For:

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

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

Short yelps of hungry exultation broke from their dry throats; it was like the tolling of a death bell; first one and then the other, "Oo-oo-ooh-ooh!"

From The Outcasts by Heming, Arthur Henry Howard

Had her condition far exceeded all Your seeming tender fears; or did I hear The peal of her death bell, I shou'd not wonder.

From The Female Gamester A Tragedy by Howard, Gorges Edmond

Shakespeare’s universal observation led him to make use of the melancholy meaning of the death bell.

From Old Church Lore by Andrews, William

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