passing bell
Americannoun
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a bell tolled to announce a death or funeral.
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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
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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
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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 Blazing The Way True Stories, Songs and Sketches of Puget Sound by Denny, Emily Inez
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 grave-digger hears far off the knell, Beneath weary skies, of the passing bell, Since ages longer than he can tell.
From Poems of Emile Verhaeren by Verhaeren, Emile
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.