belfry PRONUNCIATION: (BEL-free) MEANING: noun: 1. A - TopicsExpress



          

belfry PRONUNCIATION: (BEL-free) MEANING: noun: 1. A bell tower; also the part of a tower where a bell is hung. 2. Head. Usually in the phrase to have bats in the belfry, meaning to be crazy. ETYMOLOGY: From Old French berfrei, from High German bergan (to protect or shelter) and Old English frith (peace). Originally the term was berfrei and it was a siege tower or watchtower. Since it had bells, people began to think the term was belfry. Ultimately from the Indo-European root bhergh- (high), which also gave us iceberg, borough, burg, burglar, bourgeois, fortify, force, bourgeois, inselberg, and sforzando. Earliest documented use: 1300. USAGE: I received a rap on my head accompanied by a deluge of water. I carefully examined my belfry and found out I was not dead. Jerome A. Greene; Indian War Veterans; Savas Beatie; 2007. Lula put her finger to the side of her head and made circles. The international sign for bats in her belfry. Janet Evanovich; Twelve Sharp; St. Martins Press; 2006.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 13:24:49 +0000

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