Bellwether: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
bellwether
[ หbษlหwษรฐษr ]
leading indicator
A bellwether is a person or thing that assumes the leadership or forefront of a particular trend or movement. The term is often used in political or economic contexts to indicate a predictor of future trends.
Synonyms
indicator, leader, trendsetter
Examples of usage
- The stock market often acts as a bellwether for economic health.
- The small town's election results are a bellwether for national sentiments.
- Tech companies are considered bellwethers of market innovation.
sheep terminology
In sheep herding, a bellwether refers to a castrated male sheep that leads the flock and wears a bell around its neck to help shepherds track the sheepโs movements.
Synonyms
guide, herd leader, leader sheep
Examples of usage
- The bellwether sheep led the flock to the new grazing field.
- Farmers often choose a strong bellwether for effective herding.
- The bellwether rang its bell, signaling the start of the day.
Translations
Translations of the word "bellwether" in other languages:
๐ต๐น indicador
๐ฎ๐ณ เคชเคฅเคชเฅเคฐเคฆเคฐเฅเคถเค
๐ฉ๐ช Trendsetter
๐ฎ๐ฉ penunjuk
๐บ๐ฆ ะปัะดะตั
๐ต๐ฑ wskaลบnik
๐ฏ๐ต ๅ ้ง่
๐ซ๐ท tendancier
๐ช๐ธ indicador
๐น๐ท รถncรผ
๐ฐ๐ท ์ ๋์
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฑุงุฆุฏ
๐จ๐ฟ prลฏvodce
๐ธ๐ฐ vodca
๐จ๐ณ ้ฃๅๆ
๐ธ๐ฎ voditelj
๐ฎ๐ธ leiรฐandi
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะถะตัะตะบัั
๐ฌ๐ช แฌแแ แแแแแแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ lider
๐ฒ๐ฝ indicador
Word origin
The term 'bellwether' has its origins in Middle English, around the 15th century, derived from the combination of the words 'bell' and 'wether'. The 'bell' refers to the bell hung around the neck of a lead sheep, or 'wether', which is a castrated male sheep. This usage reflects the sheep's role in guiding the flock, representing a figure that leads or directs. Over time, the term evolved to encompass broader contexts, particularly in socio-economic and political discussions, where it signifies any leading indicator or predictor of trends. The concept underscores how the actions or characteristics of a bellwether entity can reflect or foreshadow shifts in larger groups or markets, thus cementing its place in modern vernacular as a metaphor for leadership and guidance.