Belfry: meaning, definitions and examples

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belfry

 

[ หˆbษ›lfri ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

bell tower

A belfry is a bell tower, usually attached to a church or other building, where bells are housed.

Synonyms

bell tower, bellfry, campanile.

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Word Description / Examples
belfry

Typically refers to the part of a church or other building where bells are housed. Often used in historical or architectural contexts.

  • The belfry was added to the church in the 15th century.
  • You could hear the bells ringing from the old belfry across town.
bell tower

A general term that refers to any tower that houses bells, not necessarily attached to a church. Commonly used when describing structures without specific architectural significance.

  • The school has a prominent bell tower that rings every hour.
  • They climbed the bell tower to get a better view of the city.
bellfry

A less common, archaic or erroneous spelling of 'belfry.' Rarely used in modern texts.

  • The medieval castle had a large bellfry, where the warning bell was kept.
campanile

Refers specifically to a freestanding bell tower, often associated with Italian architecture. Used in architectural or historical discussions.

  • The famous campanile in Venice is a popular tourist attraction.
  • They admired the intricacies of the campanile's design.

Examples of usage

  • The church's belfry chimed every hour.
  • The bats nested in the old belfry.
Context #2 | Noun

part of a helmet

In medieval times, a belfry referred to the part of a helmet that protected the head.

Synonyms

head protection, helmet part.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
belfry

This word is typically used to refer to the part of a bell tower or steeple in which bells are housed. It can be associated with old churches or historic buildings.

  • The ancient church's belfry was visible from miles away.
  • The belfry housed an old bell that rang every hour.
head protection

This is a general term that refers to any form of protecting the head, including helmets, hats, or other protective gear. It is often used in safety instructions, guidelines, and policies.

  • The lab requires visitors to wear head protection at all times.
  • Ensuring proper head protection is essential in hazardous work environments.

Examples of usage

  • The knight's belfry was decorated with intricate engravings.
  • The belfry of the helmet saved the soldier from a fatal blow.

Translations

Translations of the word "belfry" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น campanรกrio

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค˜เค‚เคŸเฅ€เค˜เคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Glockenturm

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menara lonceng

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดะทะฒั–ะฝะธั†ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ dzwonnica

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้˜ๆฅผ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท clocher

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ campanario

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท รงan kulesi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ข…ํƒ‘

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจุฑุฌ ุงู„ุฌุฑุณ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zvonice

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zvonica

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้’Ÿๆฅผ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ zvonik

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ klukkuturn

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะพาฃั‹ั€ะฐัƒ ะผาฑะฝะฐั€ะฐัั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒแƒ–แƒ แƒแƒคแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zษ™ng qรผllษ™si

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ campanario

Etymology

The word 'belfry' originated from the Old French word 'berfrei', which meant 'siege tower'. It was later used to refer to a bell tower in the 14th century. The association with bells likely came about due to the use of bells in towers for various purposes, such as signaling the time or calling people to prayer.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,249, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.