passing bell
Americannoun
-
a bell tolled to announce a death or funeral.
-
a portent or sign of the passing away of anything.
noun
Etymology
Origin of passing bell
First recorded in 1520–30
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.
In Bishop Blougram's Apology, Browning's bishop says of the "-ologies" that they are "the Greek endings, the little passing bell that signifies some faith's about to die."
From Time Magazine Archive
![]()
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 "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
![]()
It is said that if in a theater the tinkle of a passing bell is heard, actors and audience fall on their knees.
From Heroic Spain by O'Reilly, Elizabeth Boyle
The passing bell has a place in the story of the death, in the Tower of London, of Lady Catherine Grey, sister to the unfortunate Lady Jane.
From Old Church Lore by Andrews, William
It was the church's passing bell In Holm� Vale that clang.
From The Danes Sketched by Themselves. Vol. I (of 3) A Series of Popular Stories by the Best Danish Authors by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.