jow

American  

[jou, joh] / dʒaʊ, dʒoʊ /

noun

1. the ringing, tolling, or sound of a bell.

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verb (used with object)

1. to ring or toll (a bell).

2. to hit or strike (especially the head).

verb (used without object)

1. to rock from side to side.

Etymology

Origin of jow

1510–20; variant of joll (now dial.), Middle English jollen to strike < ?

Example Sentences

The herrings appeared about the second week in August and remained until the end of September, but the whales swallowed barrels of them at one "jow."

From From John O'Groats to Land's End by Naylor, Robert

Now Clinkumbell, wi’ ratlin tow, Begins to jow an’ croon; Some swagger hame, the best they dow, Some wait the afternoon.

From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Burns, Robert

An' hyar in the evenin' o' my days I hev got ter set alongside o' this hyar old consarn, an' hear him jow 'bout'n Old Hickory from mornin' till night.

From The Prophet of the Great Smoky Mountains by Murfree, Mary Noailles

And for untold ages India in trouble has been pursued with the very remark which I was going to utter but didn't, because its meaning had slipped me: "Jeddy jow!"

From Following the Equator, Part 5 by Twain, Mark

As she was walking o'er the fields,   She heard the dead-bell knellin'; And every jow the dead-bell gave   Cried 'Woe to Barbara Allen.'

From Bulchevy's Book of English Verse by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir