lowbell

1 of 2

noun

plural lowbells
1
: a small bell (as for the neck of a sheep or cow)
2
archaic : a bell used with a sudden casting of light to frighten, stupefy, and capture birds

lowbell

2 of 2

transitive verb

obsolete
: to frighten or capture by or as if by the use of a lowbell

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps from low entry 4 + bell

First Known Use

Noun

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Transitive Verb

1642, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lowbell was in 1578

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Dictionary Entries Near lowbell

low-bed

lowbell

low bindweed

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Lowbell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lowbell. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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