death bell

American  

noun

1. the bell that announces a death.

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Etymology

Origin of death bell

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

death bell

Gitl began reciting the Kaddish, rocking back and forth on the sleeping shelf with the sonorous words, and the prayer was like the tolling of a death bell.

From "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen

Each stifled sigh sounded in his ear as a death bell; and each tender glance carried a point keener than the lightning's fork.

From The Life of Benjamin Franklin With Many Choice Anecdotes and admirable sayings of this great man never before published by any of his biographers by Weems, Mason Locke

Had her condition far exceeded all Your seeming tender fears; or did I hear The peal of her death bell, I shou'd not wonder.

From The Female Gamester A Tragedy by Howard, Gorges Edmond

She came and said to him, "My Edwin, live for me;" but on her way home she heard the death bell toll.

From Character Sketches of Romance, Fiction and the Drama, Vol. 1 A Revised American Edition of the Reader's Handbook by Brewer, Ebenezer Cobham

No more the rolling flood’s at his controul, Nor willing servant runs when he shall bid; But mournfully I hear the death bell toll, To hail him welcome to his lonely bed!

From Awd Isaac, The Steeple Chase, and other Poems With a glossary of the Yorkshire Dialect by Castillo, John