passing bell

American  

noun

1. a bell tolled to announce a death or funeral.

2. a portent or sign of the passing away of anything.

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passing bell British  

noun

1. Also called: death bell.   death knell.  a bell rung to announce a death or a funeral

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Etymology

Origin of passing bell

First recorded in 1520–30

Example Sentences

Somewhere near, a passing bell was tolling; the dogs all round the neighbourhood were howling; and in our shrubbery, seemingly just outside, a nightingale was singing.

From Literature

He died in a fever, and upon tolling of his passing bell, she cry’d out My heart is broken and in a few hours expired, purely thro’ love, March 15, 1714-15.

From Project Gutenberg

Within, without your cabins rude As toiling builders well you wrought, With busy hands and constant hearts, And eager children wisdom taught; Long be delayed the passing bell, Long be it ere we say “Farewell!”

From Project Gutenberg

It is said that if in a theater the tinkle of a passing bell is heard, actors and audience fall on their knees.

From Project Gutenberg

Dekker, in an evident reference to the passing bell, calls it “the great capon-bell.”

From Project Gutenberg