Definition of "bell" []

• A hollow metal musical instrument, usually cup-shaped with a flared opening, that emits a metallic tone when struck. (noun)
• Something resembling such an instrument in shape or sound, as: (noun)
• The round, flared opening of a wind instrument at the opposite end from the mouthpiece. (noun)
• A percussion instrument consisting of metal tubes or bars that emit tones when struck. (noun)
• A hollow, usually inverted vessel, such as one used for diving deep below the surface of a body of water. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Pulchre's bell_, the great bell of St. Sepulchre's Holborn, close to Newgate, always begins to toll a little before the hour of execution, under the bequest of Richard Dove, who directed that an exhortation should be made to "... prisoners that are within, Who for wickedness and sin are appointed to die, Give ear unto this passing bell.""
• "October 31 was a good day with a \ "vigorous, buoyant rally from bell to bell\"."
• "The _passing bell_ is of older date than the canon of our church, which directs "that when any is passing out of this life, a bell shall be tolled, and the minister shall not then slack to do his duty."