jow

American  

[jou, joh] / dʒaʊ, dʒoʊ /

noun

1. the ringing, tolling, or sound of a bell.

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verb (used with object)

1. to ring or toll (a bell).

2. to hit or strike (especially the head).

verb (used without object)

1. to rock from side to side.

Etymology

Origin of jow

1510–20; variant of joll (now dial.), Middle English jollen to strike < ?

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

jow

As she was walking o'er the fields, She heard the dead-bell knelling; And every jow the dead-bell gave, It cried, "Woe to Barbara Allen!"

From The Book of Old English Ballads by Mabie, Hamilton Wright

She had not gane a mile but twa,   When she heard the dead-bell ringing, And every jow that the dead-bell gied,   It cry'd, Woe to Barbara Allan!

From Ballad Book by Bates, Katherine Lee

An' hyar in the evenin' o' my days I hev got ter set alongside o' this hyar old consarn, an' hear him jow 'bout'n Old Hickory from mornin' till night.

From The Prophet of the Great Smoky Mountains by Murfree, Mary Noailles

The herrings appeared about the second week in August and remained until the end of September, but the whales swallowed barrels of them at one "jow."

From From John O'Groats to Land's End by Naylor, Robert

As she was walking o'er the fields,   She heard the dead-bell knellin'; And every jow the dead-bell gave   Cried 'Woe to Barbara Allen.'

From Bulchevy's Book of English Verse by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir