Quarterbell: meaning, definitions and examples

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quarterbell

 

[ ˈkwɔːrtərˌbɛl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

time measurement

A quarter bell refers to the sound made by a bell to mark a quarter-hour interval, traditionally used in various timekeeping systems. It is often associated with towers and church bells, providing a melodic indicator of time passing in a community.

Examples of usage

  • The church's quarter bell rang at 3:15 PM.
  • Our meetings start promptly after the quarter bell's chime.
  • He listened to the quarter bell echo through the town.
  • The quarter bell strikes every 15 minutes after the hour.

Translations

Translations of the word "quarterbell" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sino do quarto

🇮🇳 क्वार्टर बेल

🇩🇪 Viertelglocke

🇮🇩 lonceng seperempat

🇺🇦 четвертний дзвін

🇵🇱 dzwon kwadransowy

🇯🇵 クオーターベル

🇫🇷 cloche du quart

🇪🇸 campana de cuarto

🇹🇷 çeyrek çan

🇰🇷 쿼터벨

🇸🇦 جهاز ربع الساعة

🇨🇿 čtvrtkový zvon

🇸🇰 štvrťový zvon

🇨🇳 四分之一钟

🇸🇮 četrtina zvon

🇮🇸 fjórðungur bjalla

🇰🇿 тоқсан қоңырау

🇬🇪 კვარტლის ზარი

🇦🇿 dördüncü zəng

🇲🇽 campana de cuarto

Word origin

The term 'quarterbell' is derived from the combination of 'quarter,' which indicates one-fourth of an hour (15 minutes), and 'bell,' which refers to the instrument used to signal or indicate time. Historically, bells have been used as timekeeping mechanisms since the medieval period, particularly in monasteries and churches. The practice of tolling bells to mark the hours and quarters became standardized with the advent of clock towers. The use of quarter bells was not just functional; it played a significant role in the communal life of towns and cities, serving to synchronize daily activities. The terminology evolved alongside advancements in clockmaking and the societal reliance on time regulation. Today, while we might not hear quarter bells as frequently, the concept remains relevant as a quaint reminder of traditional timekeeping.