pealn.1
/piːl/, U.S. /pil/ I. Senses relating to sound.
1.
a. A call or summons (e.g. to prayers, to church) made by ringing a bell; a stroke on a bell, or the ringing of a bell, as a call or summons. Now merged in sense 1b.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > signalling > audible signalling > ringing of bells as signal > [noun]
pealc1390
ring1699
teller1868
c1390 (?c1350) St. Augustine 1642 in C. Horstmann Sammlung Altengl. Legenden (1878) 89 (MED) To euensong Men rongen þo þreo peles long.
Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 391 Pele [?a1475 Winch. Peel] of bellys ryngynge, classicum.
1444 Rolls of Parl. V. 125/1 That the Baillifs..make ryng the comen belle iii pele, to gedre the Comenes togedre.
c1525 Rule St. Francis (Faust.) in J. S. Brewer & R. Howlett Monumenta Franciscana (1858) I. 575 (MED) We ordeyn that sylens be kept after that complenn be done till the first pele to pryme of the next day folowinge be runge.
1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 771 All the Frenchmen that were in the Ile of Sicilia..vpon Easter day, at the first peale to Euensong..were all put to death.
1674 T. Ken Man. Prayers Winchester Coll. 4 Go into the Chappel, between first and second Peal in the Morning, to say your Morning Prayer.
?1834 Picture of Liverpool (new ed.) iii. 107 On Sunday the 11th February, 1810, during the ringing of the second peal, when the congregation were assembling for the morning service, the lower part of the steeple gave way.
1908 D. McDonald tr. in 20th Cent. Hist. Marshall Co., Indiana I. i. 17 At sunrise the first peal was rung.
b. Any loud or prolonged ringing of a bell or set of bells. Also figurative and in figurative contexts.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > music on specific instrument > [noun] > on bells
peal1513
chime1530
rounda1661
round peala1663
grand-bob1747
carillon1806
Cambridge chimes1850
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > sound of instruments > [noun] > sound of bell > number of bells together
reela1450
pealingc1475
peal1513
tingle-tanglea1635
clamming1684
clam1702
firing1788
1513 Will of Robert Fabyan in R. Fabyan New Chrons. Eng. & France (1811) Pref. p. viii Ringyng at the said obite, soo that oon pele over nyght be rong wt all the bellys, and oon pele upon the mornyng.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 253/1 Peele of belles, son de cloches.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. cxciij To haue her fauor & folowe her desire..rather then to haue a lowryng countenaunce, and a ringing peale, when he should go to his rest and quietnes.
1572–3 in H. J. F. Swayne Churchwardens' Accts. Sarum (1896) 287 Ringers yt Ringed iij pelle when Mr. Hooper was buried.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. ii. 44 Ere..The shard-borne Beetle, with his drowsie hums, Hath rung Nights yawning Peale . View more context for this quotation
1651 A. Weamys Contin. Sydney's Arcadia 55 He quickly set footing in the Countrey of Arcadia, where he was welcomed by Peals of Bels, and Shoutings of People.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 95 The Breath Of brazen Trumpets rung the Peals of Death. View more context for this quotation
1787 European Mag. 12 434 The bells of the churches rung their dead peals during the day.
1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms iv. 444 The bells ring quick a joyous peal.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xxxvii. 238 George had the satisfaction, as the bell rang out its farewell peal, to see Marks walk..to the shore.
1893 R. C. Praed Outlaw & Lawmaker xxx The bell-bird rang its silvery peal, and the whip-bird gave its coachman's click.
1914 J. Joyce Dubliners 76 The belfry of George's Church sent out constant peals.
1966 S. J. Perelman Chicken Inspector No. 23 253 The silvery peal of wedding bells assailed my ears.
1983 ‘J. Kincaid’ At Bottom of River (1985) 64 He cannot conceive of a Sunday: the peal of church bells, the sound of seraphic voices in harmony, the closeness of congregation.
c. A set of bells tuned to one another; = ring n.2 2.In quot. 1894 in extended use.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > percussion instrument > bell > [noun] > set of bells
ring1549
chime1550
peal1630
set1771
carillon1774
musical chime1798
1630 in P. H. Brown Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1901) 2nd Ser. III. 493 A paill of bellis to be hung in the churche.
1663 in J. D. Marwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Glasgow (1905) III. 5 Ane knock and ane paill of belles to be put in the steiple.
1741 B. Willis Let. 28 Oct. in A. P. Jenkins Corr. T. Secker (1991) 64 A Fine Church & steeple it is truly; & these are six the Best Bells of any Peal of six Bells in all England as Reputed.
1789 G. White Nat. Hist. Selborne 321 The day of the arrival of this tuneable peal was observed as an high festival by the village.
1848 J. Noake Rambler in Worcs. I. 308 There is a peal of six bells, besides a ‘ting tang’.
1860 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (ed. 2) VI. xxx. 33 First began St. Paul's,..then, one by one, every peal which had been spared caught up the sound.
1894 G. M. Fenn In Alpine Valley III. 61 A tiny campanula whose lavender bells clustered in a peal about the stem.
1910 Encycl. Brit. I. 48/1 A fire destroyed the East Church and the old central tower with its fine peal of nine bells.
1954 M. Beresford Lost Villages Eng. ii. 66 The incumbent of Middleton-on-the-Wolds tells me that nothing is known about the Kiplingcotes bells among his peal.
2004 Essex Chron. (Nexis) 8 Jan. 12 Writtle parishioners are ringing out the old as they prepare to swap their nearly 200-year-old bells for a new peal.
d. Campanology. A series of changes rung on a set of bells (also without article, as in peal); the ringing of such a series.A peal typically begins with the bells being rung in descending order, forming a scale (cf. round n.1 21).In later use generally restricted to series of 5000 or more changes rung without interruption.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > bell-ringing > [noun] > going through all the changes > changes > specific
set peal16..
grandsire1668
whole pull1668
bob1671
peal1671
course1677
set changes1677
single1684
single change1688
Plain Bob1702
Stedman1731
Superlative Surprise1788
touch1788
triple1798
triple bob major1809
maximus1813
royal1813
call changes1837
slam1854
cater1872
cinques1872
triple change1872
plain hunt1874
plain hunting1874
quarter peal1888
method1901
short course1904
1671 Tintinnalogia 102 This Peal of Grandsire..is the absolute foundation from whence the excellent Peal of Grandsire bob..had its beginning and method.
1686 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Staffs. ix. 371 Seven bells rung together in peal.
1702 J. D. & C. M. Campanalogia Improved 13 The learning to Raise and Cease a Bell in Peal.
1731 Norwich Gaz. 11 Sept. 4/1 That most noted and harmonious Peal on 7 Bells called Stedman's Triples.
1762 O. Goldsmith Life R. Nash 178 And the muffled bells rung a peal of Bob Major.
1796 Times 27 Aug. 4/1 The peal was divided into ten parts, or courses, of 504 each.
1872 H. T. Ellacombe Church Bells Devon iii. 238 A peal of ‘London Union Triples’.
1879 G. Grove Dict. Music I. 334/2 12 [bells], the largest number ever rung in peal.
1901 Gloss. Techn. Terms Bells & Ringing (1904) 15 Peal, the true performance on bells of a true composition in any method of change-ringing of not less than 5,040 changes in length for seven bells: and of not less than 5,000 changes on eight and all higher numbers.
1928 Times 10 Apr. 8/2 12 members of the Ancient Society of College Youths..rang a peal of Stedman Cinques, consisting of 5,007 different changes on the 12 bells.
1976 Elem. Handbk. Change-ringing (Central Council Church Bell Ringers) 27 It is a proper knowledge of coursing order which makes it possible for a conductor to know where all the bells should be all the time during a peal.
2001 Ringing World 23 Mar. 311/2 There were noteworthy achievements among the 13 successful peals I took part in; my first peal of Royal (Plain Bob at Chesterfield); and two on five bells.
2. A loud discharge of guns, cannon, etc., esp. as a salute. Now rare (chiefly historical in later use).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > social event > festive occasion > [noun] > other tokens of
palmOE
peal1509
illumination1797
feu de joie1801
confetti1815
street decoration1846
piñata1868
Venetian mast1883
serpentin1894
ticker tape1902
society > armed hostility > military organization > ceremonial > [noun] > salute > by discharge of artillery
peal1509
salvo1719
feu de joie1801
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1928) xx. 93 They hayled With a grete peale of gunnes at theyr departynge The meruaylous toure of famous cunnynge.
?1518 Cocke Lorelles Bote sig. C.iv A pele of gonnes gan they rynge.
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1341/1 The duke of Brabant..caused a peale of a twentie or thirtie thousand harquebusses to be shot off.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Hamlet (1623) v. ii. 359 (stage direct.) Exeunt Marching: after the which, a Peale of Ordenance are shot off.
a1674 J. Milton Brief Hist. Moscovia (1682) iv. 51 A Peal of 170 Brass Ordnance..and 20000 Harquebuzes twice over.
1760 Naval Chron. 1 224 [They] were well entertained, and solemnly dismissed, with Sound of Drum and Trumpets, and a Peal of Ordnance.
1786 W. Gilpin Observ. Mountains & Lakes Cumberland I. iii. 47 Her arrival was announced through the country by a peal of cannon from the ramparts.
1833 H. Martineau Three Ages ii. 68 The best part of this day's entertainments..was the peals of ordnance both from the vessels and the shore.
a1849 T. L. Beddoes Death's Jest-bk. iv. iv, in Poems (1851) II. 140 (stage direct.) A trumpet is heard, followed by a peal of cannon.
1918 C. Dawson Glory of Trenches iii. 113 He had offered us the olive-branch, and his peace terms had been rejected with a peal of guns all along the Western Front.
1993 Times (Nexis) 21 Apr. His first theatre there burnt down in 1613, after an over-naturalistic discharge of a peal of ordnance at the entry of the king in Henry VIII.
3. A loud outburst or volley of sound, esp. of laughter or thunder.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sudden or violent sound > [noun]
peal1535
thud1535
bouncing1598
ran-tan1607
sulphur?1611
bursta1616
stound1627
randana1661
break1751
flare1815
slam-banging1823
bang1854
spang1883
whoomph1891
ka-boom1965
zap1984
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Jer. iv. 19 I haue herde the crienge of the trompettes, and peales of warre.
1593 ‘P. Foulface’ Bacchus Bountie C 3 The whole hall for ioy did ring out a loud laffing peale.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. ii. 145 Still gazing in a doubt whether those peales of praise be his or no. View more context for this quotation
a1649 W. Drummond Poems (1656) 137 At whose Command Clouds peales of Thunder sound.
1672 J. Dryden Conquest Granada ii. v. 141 Like the hoarse peals of Vultures..When, over fighting fields, they beat their wings.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 63. ¶7 Which very often produced great Peals of Laughter.
1747 Gentleman's Mag. Nov. 536/2 Now Puss in circling mazes flies. What glorious peals of musick rise!
a1817 J. Austen Northanger Abbey (1818) II. v. 80 Peals of thunder so loud as to seem to shake the edifice to its foundation. View more context for this quotation
1848 ‘L. Mariotti’ Italy Past & Present I. 121 A peal of the organ is antiphonal to a flourish of trumpets.
1882 R. L. Stevenson New Arabian Nights II. 171 Suddenly a hoarse and ragged peal of cockcrow rose to their ears from the dark valley below the windows.
1916 E. H. Porter Just David vii To be awakened by a peal of music such as the little house had never known before.
1932 A. Huxley Brave New World x. 178 Laughter broke out, enormous, almost hysterical, peal after peal, as though it would never stop.
1989 Chicago Tribune (Nexis) 19 Mar. (Travel section) 6 A low peal of thunder rolled down the slopes.
4. = appeal n. (in various senses). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > [noun] > invocation or appeal
bodec1175
stevenc1200
crya1300
askingc1330
prayerc1330
beseeching1340
invocationc1384
billc1386
conjuringa1400
pealc1400
conjurationc1450
adjuration?1473
remonstrance?1473
interpellation1526
contestation1548
address1570
vocation1574
imprecation1585
appellation1587
supplantation1590
advocation1598
application1607
invoking1611
inclamation1613
conjurement1643
bespeaking1661
vocative1747
incalling1850
appeal1859
appealing1876
appealingness1876
rogative1882
cri de cœur1897
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xvii. 302 For þere þat partye pursueth þe pele [c1400 C text xx. 284 apeel; v.r. peel] is so huge, Þat þe kynge may do no mercy til bothe men acorde.
?c1430 J. Lydgate Daunce Machabree (Huntington) 365 Nowther peele ne proteccioun Mai ȝow fraunchise to do nature wronge.
1471 R. L. in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 433 Whech woman seyd to me that che sewyd neuer the pele.
a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 78 (MED) Þou shalt come afore my lord, and avow thi pele.
1779 H. Cowley Who's the Dupe? sig. K6v Grad. Mr. Sandford I appeal to you! Grang. And I appeal. Sand. Nay, Gentlemen, Mr. Doiley is your Judge in all disputes concerning—the vulgar tongue. Doil. Aye, to be sure I am! Who cares for your peals?
Compounds
(Sense 1b.)
peal book n.
ΚΠ
1872 H. T. Ellacombe Church Bells Devon iii. 236 The peal book contains a record of peals.
2002 Ringing World 2 Aug. 791/1 It was still a shock to see the page in the College Youths peal book with the legend ‘first ever done in this method’ for Plain Bob Major!
peal ringer n.
ΚΠ
1876 Times 10 Oct. 6/2 A man need not necessarily be a ‘peal-ringer’..to enjoy all the greatest pleasure of change-ringing.
1998 Bath Chron. (Nexis) 22 July 4 At 3pm on Saturday August 8 there is to be a full peal attempt on the bells by a team of Peal Ringers which could last over three hours.
peal ringing n.
ΚΠ
1876 Times 14 Nov. 11/5 Peal-ringing is not the ‘aerial art’ that I advocate.
1960 H. Cantril & C. H. Bumstead Refl. Human Venture iv. 115 It was the Warning-bell, which began half an hour before the regular peal-ringing.
1990 Brit. Med. Jrnl. (Nexis) 22 Dec. 1415 Minor rope burns and hand blisters are common among bell ringers, particularly after peal ringing.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
pealn.2
/piːl/, U.S. /pil/, Irish English /piːl/, Welsh English /ˈpiːjəl/ Chiefly English regional (south-western), Welsh English (south-western), and Irish English (southern).
More fully salmon peal. A young or small salmon or sea trout (variously applied more specifically). Now: esp. (in south-west England) a sea trout, esp. one returning from its first winter at sea; (in Ireland) a salmon grilse.May, pug peal: see the first element.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > fish > class Osteichthyes or Teleostomi > order Salmoniformes (salmon or trout) > family Salmonidae (salmon) > [noun] > genus Salmo > salmo cambricus (peal)
peal1533
the world > animals > fish > class Osteichthyes or Teleostomi > order Salmoniformes (salmon or trout) > family Salmonidae (salmon) > [noun] > genus Salmo > salmo salar (salmon) > on return from sea or in first year
grilse1417
peal1533
botchera1609
blue cap1677
grey1677
pug peal1861
grayling1879
1533–4 Act 25 Hen. VIII c. 7 The yonge frye,..called lakspynkes smowtis or salmon pele.
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. 1009/1 Plentifull of samon, trout, peale, dace, pike, and other like freshwater fishes.
1623 R. Carpenter Conscionable Christian 89 The line sometimes breaketh too, when a Peale or great fish is to be drawne vp.
1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια, sive Panzoologicomineralogia 220 The Salmon peales or Sea Trouts, are a more light, wholesome, and well tasted meat.
1724 D. Defoe Tour Great Brit. I. iii. 87 We saw about 50 or 60 small Salmon, about 17 to 20 Inches long, which the Country People [in Devon] call Salmon Peal.
1736 Compl. Family-piece ii. ii. 265 Salmon Peel are taken by dropping your Line, baited with a Brandling, gradually into the Hole.
1758 R. Griffiths Descr. Thames 171 Salmon Peale..seems to be a Species of the Salmon.
1836 W. Yarrell Hist. Brit. Fishes II. 16 These small-sized fish [sc. salmon], when under two pounds' weight, are called by some of the London fishmongers Salmon-Peal; when larger, Grilse.
1851 H. Newland Erne 33 (note) Graul, called in the north a grilse and on the Shannon a peel.
1880 A. Günther Introd. Study of Fishes 644 The names ‘Bull-trout’ and ‘Peal’ are not attributable to definite species... The name..of ‘Peal’ is given indiscriminately to Salmon-grilse and to S[almo] cambricus.
1904 Science 16 Sept. 383/1 The growth and migration of salmon (including sea-trout, salmon-trout, peal, sewin, etc.).
1936 J. T. Jenkins Fishes Brit. Isles (ed. 2) 230 A large number of local names have been given to Sea Trout... In addition to the Sewen and Phinock already mentioned, there are..Black-tails or Peal (Devonshire), which have a dark caudal fin.
1988 Salmon, Trout & Sea-trout June 49/3 Night-fishing for school peal is one of the most enjoyable forms of fishing.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
pealv.1
/piːl/, U.S. /pil/ 1. transitive and intransitive = appeal v. (in various senses). to peal off: to cry off. Now rare (English regional (northern) in later use).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > make a request [verb (intransitive)] > to, of, or upon someone
clepec825
cryc1290
to pray (one) of a boon1393
to call on ——a1400
to seek on (also upon)a1400
to call upon ——c1405
sue1405
supplicate1417
peala1425
labour1442
to make suit1447–8
supply1489
suit1526
appeal1540
apply1554
incalla1572
invocate1582
beg1600
palaver1859
the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > appeal to or invoke
halsec825
askOE
witnec1200
halsenc1290
calla1325
incalla1340
to speak to ——1362
interpel1382
inclepec1384
turnc1384
becallc1400
ethec1400
peala1425
movec1450
provoke1477
adjure1483
invoke1490
conjurea1500
sue1521
invocatea1530
obtest1548
obtestate1553
to throw oneself on (or upon)1592
obsecrate1598
charm1599
to cry on ——1609
behight1615
imprecate1643
impray1855
a1425 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Cambr. Ff.5.35) (1873) C. iii. 186 (MED) [Poure prouysors] þat peleth to [þe arches].
Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 391 Pelyn [?a1475 Winch. Peelyn], or apelyn, appello.
a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 594 in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 318 Yf he dose hom no ryȝt lele, To A baron of chekker þay mun hit pele.
a1500 tr. La Belle Dame sans Mercy (Cambr.) 783 in F. J. Furnivall Polit., Relig., & Love Poems (1903) 109 (MED) I pele [v.r. speke] to gode..Of þe duresse which greuythe me so sore.
1648 Charles I's Messages for Peace 120 What reason these men had thus to 'peale him.
1655 W. Gurnall Christian in Armour: 1st Pt. 54 They peale one of another, shifting the sin rather than suing for mercy.
1779 H. Cowley Who's the Dupe? sig. K6v Who cares for your peals? I peal too; and I tell you I wont be imposed on!
1886 Pall Mall Gaz. 30 Aug. 3/1 One of the Liberal Unionists has pealed off: that is the most interesting thing about the division list on Mr. Parnell's amendment.
1894 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words Peal, to appeal, a shortened form.
1894 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words Peel off, to appeal off..A happy man was he who could peel off from the militia.
2.
a. intransitive. To sound forth in a peal; to resound.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > resonance or sonority > resound [verb (intransitive)]
singc897
shillc1000
warblea1400
resoundc1425
dun1440
reird1508
rolla1522
rerea1525
peal1593
diapason1608
choir1838
alarm1839
to raise (also lift) the roof1845
whang1854
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > sound of instruments > sound [verb (intransitive)]
goc1405
playa1522
speak1604
peal1849
1593 G. Peele Honovr of Garter sig. B2v Ordnance pealing in mine eares, As twentie thousand Tyre had playid at Sea.
1658 R. Brathwait Honest Ghost 95 Whole troups of healths [sc. toasts] come pealing on a row.
1743 A. Pope Dunciad (rev. ed.) ii. 258 There Webster! peal'd thy voice, and Whitfield! thine.
1790 A. Francis Misc. Poems 33 I o'er the Schools, with regal power preside, And swell the anthem, pealing thro' the aisle.
1841 W. H. Ainsworth Old St. Pauls II. 102 A loud clap of thunder pealed overhead.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. x. 602 Behind it rode the body guards with cymbals clashing and trumpets pealing.
1869 ‘M. Twain’ Innocents Abroad i. 19 The participants..were to sail away in a great steamship with flags flying and cannon pealing.
1910 H. H. Richardson Getting of Wisdom iv. 43 A great bell clanged through the house, pealing on and on, long after one's ears were rasped by the din.
1948 N. Mitford Let. 16 Aug. (1993) 219 The telephone I am glad to say peals away... One person went up to 40 rings.
2004 Guardian (Nexis) 16 Feb. 14 Laughter peals across the rehearsal room.
b. transitive. To sound (something) forth in a peal, to produce (a sound, etc.) with loud reverberation; to utter or proclaim loudly and sonorously. Frequently with out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > resonance or sonority > resound [verb (transitive)]
ringa1400
resound1579
peal1611
the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > say in a particular manner [verb (transitive)] > utter loudly or angrily
yeiea1225
call?c1250
soundc1374
ringa1400
upcasta1400
barkc1440
resound?c1525
blustera1535
brawl1563
thunder1592
out-thunder?1611
peal1611
tonitruate1623
intonatea1631
mouth1700
rip1828
boom1837
explode1839
clamour1856
blare1859
foghorn1886
megaphone1901
gruff1925
loudmouth1931
woof1934
1611 ‘G. Vadianus’ in T. Coryate Crudities sig. l2 Peale thy praise with Rousse & Bow-bell clapper.
1631 J. Mabbe tr. F. de Rojas Spanish Bawd i. 15 Your Table-players, and other Gamesters never lose, but they peale foorth her prayses.
1706 S. Garth Dispensary (ed. 6) v. 89 Pestles peal a martial Symphony.
1747 T. Warton Pleasures of Melancholy 16 The many-sounding organ peals on high, In full-voic'd chorus thro' th' embowed roof.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. i. 5 That hour [sc. twelve o'clock] was pealed from Saint Giles's steeple, and repeated by the Tron.
1853 E. C. Gaskell Cranford xiii The church clock pealed out two before I had done.
1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid i, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 75 Loud thunder is pealed from the skies.
1950 H. C. Wells Earth cries Out 25 The bellbirds, small and quick, chattered amongst the blossom, pealing out their bell-like notes.
1992 S. Townsend Queen & I (1993) x. 180 ‘I love it,’ she pealed. ‘It's so containable’.
1997 B. Morrow Giovanni's Gift i. 28 When the bells in every church and cathedral of Rome began pealing the noon Angelus.
c. transitive. To cause (a bell, etc.) to sound loudly; to ring (a bell) in peals.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > playing instruments > bell-ringing > [verb (transitive)] > cause bells to sound loudly
peal1828
1828 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Peal,..to cause to ring or sound.
1877 Harper's Mag. Feb. 406/1 At the same moment the first judge pealed the bell at his right hand.
1904 H. James Golden Bowl II. iv. vi You keep pealing all the bells to drown my voice.
1937 W. H. Auden Song for New Year in Listener 17 Feb. 305 Day long and night long the bells I shall peal.
1986 Los Angeles Times (Nexis) 3 Feb. i. 4/1 At 1 p.m. Sunday in the city's Catholic cathedral, young men pealed church bells to call people out for another demonstration.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > loudness > make a loud sound or noise [verb (transitive)] > assail the ears or air
beata1382
renda1398
tear1597
split1603
peal1641
1641 J. Milton Reason Church-govt. Concl. 62 They..never lin pealing our eares that unlesse we fat them like boores,..all learning and religion will goe underfoot.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ii. 920 Nor was his eare less peal'd With noises loud and ruinous..then when Bellona storms, With all her battering Engines bent to rase Som Capital City. View more context for this quotation
1717 E. Fenton tr. Homer Odyssey xi, in Poems 114 To Woman's Faith Unbosom nought momentous; tho' she peal Your Ear..Unlock not all your Secrets.
1719 J. T. Philipps tr. B. Ziegenbalg Thirty-four Confer. 158 Priests and People pealed me with Maledictions and Abusive Words.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
pealv.2
/piːl/, U.S. /pil/α. late Middle English pele, 1500s peil, 1500s–1600s peale, 1500s– peal; English regional (northern) 1700s–1800s pele, 1700s– peyl, 1800s– peel, 1800s– peighl, 1800s– peil, 1800s– peyle; also Irish English (Wexford) 1800s peale.
β. Chiefly English regional (west midlands and northern) 1600s 1800s– pale, 1800s– pael, 1800s– pail, 1800s– payl Brit. /peɪl/, U.S. /peɪl/.
Now chiefly English regional (west midlands and northern).
1.
a. transitive. To pound, to batter; to strike or beat with repeated blows; to thrash; to pelt; †to strike down (obsolete). Cf. pell v. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > strike [verb (transitive)] > shower with blows
peal?a1425
pelt?c1450
palt1579
bepepper1612
the world > movement > impact > striking > beating or repeated striking > beat [verb (transitive)] > specifically a person
to-beatc893
threshOE
bustc1225
to lay on or upon?c1225
berrya1250
to-bunea1250
touchc1330
arrayc1380
byfrapc1380
boxc1390
swinga1400
forbeatc1420
peal?a1425
routa1425
noddlea1450
forslinger1481
wipe1523
trima1529
baste1533
waulk1533
slip1535
peppera1550
bethwack1555
kembc1566
to beat (a person) black and blue1568
beswinge1568
paik1568
trounce1568
canvass1573
swaddle?1577
bebaste1582
besoop1589
bumfeage1589
dry-beat1589
feague1589
lamback1589
clapperclaw1590
thrash1593
belam1595
lam1595
beswaddle1598
bumfeagle1598
belabour1600
tew1600
flesh-baste1611
dust1612
feeze1612
mill1612
verberate1614
bethumpa1616
rebuke1619
bemaul1620
tabor1624
maula1627
batterfang1630
dry-baste1630
lambaste1637
thunder-thump1637
cullis1639
dry-banga1640
nuddle1640
sauce1651
feak1652
cotton1654
fustigate1656
brush1665
squab1668
raddle1677
to tan (a person's) hide1679
slam1691
bebump1694
to give (a person) his load1694
fag1699
towel1705
to kick a person's butt1741
fum1790
devel1807
bray1808
to beat (also scare, etc.) someone's daylights out1813
mug1818
to knock (a person) into the middle of next week1821
welt1823
hidea1825
slate1825
targe1825
wallop1825
pounce1827
to lay into1838
flake1841
muzzle1843
paste1846
looder1850
frail1851
snake1859
fettle1863
to do over1866
jacket1875
to knock seven kinds of —— out of (a person)1877
to take apart1880
splatter1881
to beat (knock, etc.) the tar out of1884
to —— the shit out of (a person or thing)1886
to do up1887
to —— (the) hell out of1887
to beat — bells out of a person1890
soak1892
to punch out1893
stoush1893
to work over1903
to beat up1907
to punch up1907
cream1929
shellac1930
to —— the bejesus out of (a person or thing)1931
duff1943
clobber1944
to fill in1948
to bash up1954
to —— seven shades of —— out of (a person or thing)1976
to —— seven shades out of (a person or thing)1983
beast1990
becurry-
fan-
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > grinding or pounding > grind or pound [verb (transitive)]
grindc1000
i-ponec1000
britOE
poundOE
stampc1200
to-pounec1290
bruisea1382
minisha1382
bray1382
to-grind1393
beatc1420
gratec1430
mull1440
pestle1483
hatter1508
pounce1519
contuse1552
pounder1570
undergrind1605
dispulverate1609
peal1611
comminute1626
atom1648
comminuate1666
porphyrize1747
stub1765
kibble1790
smush1825
crack1833
pun1888
micronize1968
society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > perform general or industrial manufacturing processes [verb (transitive)] > beat, hammer, or pound
peal1611
tewa1642
scutch1733
beat1753
pun1838
spat1890
?a1425 (?a1350) T. Castleford Chron. (1940) 23373 He gaf þam many a dede wonde... He peled þam doune on alle sides, Sua þat welner nane him abides.
c1440 (?a1400) Morte Arthure 3042 (MED) Mynsteris and masondewes they malle to þe erthe..Paysede and pelid down playsterede walles.
1583 T. Stocker tr. Tragicall Hist. Ciuile Warres Lowe Countries iii. 86 Fiftie or three score of them lustily charged then betweene the gates, and valyantly pealed them with harquebuze shot.
1592 W. Wyrley Lord Chandos in True Vse Armorie 54 Some one did weild A mightie stone, that head a peeces peild Of Lord Mucedent.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Piler, to peale, pound, stampe, to bray, beat, or breake, in a morter.
1686 J. Goad Astro-meteorologica ii. i. 144 Is it certain then that our Aspect is able to..Peal us with a Showr?
1735 W. Somervile Chace iv. 150 [A ram] Shall..with his curl'd hard Front incessant peal The panting Wretch.
1740 ‘T. Bobbin’ View Dial. 25 He began a possin an peylin him.
1790 A. Wheeler Westmorland Dial. 29 She had peyled ther feaces black an blue.
1835 A. B. Longstreet Georgia Scenes 66 You had my finger in your mouth, and was pealing me in the face and breast.
1850 S. Bamford Dial. S. Lancs. 182 Awv pailt him weel.
1867 J. Poole Gloss. Wexford 108 Hea begaan to peale a cooat.
1872 J. Hartley Yorks. Ditties 1st Ser. 81 He's fit to pail his heead agean th' jaumstooan.
1895 T. Pinnock Black Country Ann. in Eng. Dial. Dict. (1903) IV. 408/2 Her set on to pail him o'er the yead wi' the breum-hondle.
1974 D. Wilson Staffs. Dial. Words 49 Pail, to beat.
1985 K. Howarth Sounds Gradely Peel, to hit with the fist.
b. transitive. English regional (Cheshire). To beat (barley) so as to detach the awns. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1688 [implied in: R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 74/1 Paling of Barley, is the beating of it, to get the beards from it. (at pealing n.2 2)].
1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words II Pale,..to beat barley. Chesh.
1887 T. Darlington Folk-speech S. Cheshire Pale, to remove the awns of barley with ‘paling-irons’.
2. intransitive. Of a blow: to come or fall in a shower. Of rain: to pelt.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > impinge [verb (intransitive)] > in a shower
pealc1450
c1450 (?a1400) Duke Rowland & Sir Otuell (1880) 502 (MED) So thikke þaire dynttis to-gedir pelyde, thaire armours hewenn laye in þe felde.
1894 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words 97 A country market-woman said, ‘The rain payled so agen me, it was quite uncommon.’
a1903 E. Smith MS Coll. Warwicks. Words in Eng. Dial. Dict. (1903) IV. 409/1 The rain came pealing down.
3.
a. intransitive. To pound, beat, hammer (at, on, or upon); to lay into.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > strike or deliver blows [verb (intransitive)] > in a shower
pealc1450
pelta1600
palt1606
c1450 (a1400) Chevalere Assigne 304 in W. H. French & C. B. Hale Middle Eng. Metrical Romances (1930) 870 (MED) Plukke out þy swerde and pele on hym faste, Allwey eggelynges down on all þat þou fyndes.
1796 R. Walker Plebeian Politics (1801) 23 I met three foos, pelink uppo three war-tubs.
1861 M. R. Lahee Owd Yem 7 Aw'd getton Bob deawn, un wur peylin into him i' gradely Lancashire-style.
1886 R. Holland Gloss. Words County of Chester 252 Moy axe is so dull aw conna cut a chip, bur aw keep on palin at it, an aw dinge em off.
1896 G. F. Northall Warwickshire Word-bk. 167 I'll pale into him.
b. intransitive. figurative. To set about something with energy; to pitch into a task, etc. With away: to work hard, persevere.
ΚΠ
1869 J. C. Atkinson Peacock's Gloss. Dial. Hundred of Lonsdale 62/2 Peil, to be actively or energetically moving or working.
1884 W. Cudworth Yorks. Dial. Sketches 125 (E.D.D.) Just let me finish this bird cage, an I'll peyl intut an reight an' all!
1895 J. T. Clegg Stories, Sketches, & Rhymes in Rochdale Dial. 429 Aw've had to peighl away like a nowman.
1898 B. Kirkby Lakeland Words (at cited word) Peylen intult, siam as t'chap wi' t'dumplin end.
4. intransitive. English regional (northern). To hurry, rush. Cf. pell v. 1.
ΚΠ
1819 ‘P. Bobbin’ Sequel to Lancs. Dial. 7 He'ur peylink owey, tort Rachdaw.
1862 C. C. Robinson Dial. Leeds & Neighbourhood 3 ‘Peel off lad.’ ‘At a dog-trot?’ ‘Aye like winky.’
1891 J. Baron Blegburn Dickshonary 50 Peyl, to thump, to hurry. This word hes booath o' these meeanin's; to be peyled is a good deeal dif'rent to peylin'—rayther!
Derivatives
pealed adj.
ΚΠ
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Pilé, pealed, beaten, bruised, crushed, pounded, stamped.
1897 Halifax Courier 29 May in Eng. Dial. Dict. (1903) IV. 408/2 Tha't looking as faal as a peil'd mule.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2005; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
pealv.3
/piːl/, U.S. /pil/ Chiefly English regional. Now rare. Perhaps Obsolete.
1. transitive. Chiefly English regional (northern). To cool (a vessel full of hot liquid) by taking out a ladleful and pouring it in again (see also quot. 1755). Only in to peal the pot.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > coldness > make cold [verb (transitive)] > cool > cool a boiling liquid
keel1393
peal1673
1673 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 37 Peale the pot; cool the pot.
1703 R. Thoresby List Local Words in J. Ray Philosoph. Lett. (1718) 334 Peel the pot, (cool it) with the Ladle, taking out and pouring in again.
1755 S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. Peal,..2. To stir with some agitation: as, to peal the pot, is when it boils to stir the liquor therein with a ladle.
1838 W. Holloway Gen. Dict. Provincialisms Peal, to cool. North. ‘To peal the pot.’
a1903 P. Radcliffe in Eng. Dial. Dict. (1903) IV. 445/2 [N. Country] To peal the pot.
2. transitive. English regional (Gloucestershire). To pour out (a liquid).
ΚΠ
a1728 W. Kennett MS Coll. Provinc. Words (BL Lansdowne MS 1033) f. 292/2 To peer, to pour out water or any liquid. Oxfordsh. To peal and to paal. Glocest.
1857 T. Wright Dict. Obsolete & Provinc. Eng. 730/1 Peal, to pour out. Glouc.
1890 J. D. Robertson Gloss. Words County of Gloucester Peal, to pour out a liquid.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1c1390
n.21533v.1a1425v.2?a1425v.31673