silver bell

American  

noun

1. any North American shrub or small tree belonging to the genus Halesia, of the storax family, having toothed leaves and drooping white, bell-shaped flowers.

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silver bell British  

noun

1. Also called: snowdrop tree.  any of various deciduous trees of the styracaceous genus Halesia, esp H. carolina, of North America and China, having white bell-shaped flowers

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Etymology

Origin of silver bell

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

It holds five framed photographs, five funeral orders of service, a silver bell, a gorgeous bouquet.

From Seattle Times • May 1, 2022

As Mr. Shareef’s songs reach a climax, a bartender, John Grecsek, rings a mounted silver bell in clangorous approval.

From New York Times • Oct. 30, 2018

In Decatur, Georgia, a silver bell gets rung if anyone in the group of mainly suburban moms starts speaking off-topic during their monthly get-togethers.

From The Guardian • Mar. 18, 2017

In his "Chronicles: Volume One" memoir, Dylan recalled that Vee "had a metallic, edgy tone to his voice and it was as musical as a silver bell."

From US News • Oct. 24, 2016

Chester was leaning up against the matchbox when suddenly two fingers began to work their way through the bars of the cage toward the little silver bell.

From "The Cricket in Times Square" by George Selden