peal

[ peel ]

noun

1. a loud, prolonged ringing of bells.
2. a set of bells tuned to one another.
3. a series of changes rung on a set of bells.
4. any loud, sustained sound or series of sounds, as of cannon, thunder, applause, or laughter.

   Synonyms: clangor, resounding, reverberation

verb (used with object)

1. to sound loudly and sonorously:

   to peal the bells of a tower.

2. Obsolete. to assail with loud sounds.

verb (used without object)

1. to sound forth in a peal; resound.

peal

¹

/ piːl /

noun

1. a loud prolonged usually reverberating sound, as of bells, thunder, or laughter
2. Leisure:Bell-ringing a series of changes rung in accordance with specific rules, consisting of not fewer than 5000 permutations in a ring of eight bells
3. not in technical usage the set of bells in a belfry

verb

1. intr to sound with a peal or peals
2. tr to give forth loudly and sonorously
3. tr to ring (bells) in peals

peal

²

/ piːl /

noun

1. a dialect name for a grilse or a young sea trout

Other Words From

• inter·peal verb (used with object)
• un·pealed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of peal¹

1350–1400; Middle English pele, akin to peal to beat, strike (now dial.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of peal¹

C14 pele, variant of apele appeal

Example Sentences

During the last century these were recast, and addition made to the peal, which now consists of twelve.

From Project Gutenberg

With these ten Hunts, the first change in each Peal is made by hunting the whole Hunt up.

From Project Gutenberg

This Peal (by the Rules aforesaid) may be Rang with any whole hunt, half hunt, and quarter hunt.

From Project Gutenberg

With these ten Hunts, the first change in each Peal is made by hunting down the whole Hunt.

From Project Gutenberg

I have only set down part of this Peal, which is sufficient to shew the course and method thereof.

From Project Gutenberg