Trends ofbelfry
View usage for:
belfry
(belfri)
Word forms: plural belfries
countable noun
The belfry of a church is the top part of its tower, where the bells are.
belfry in British English
(ˈbɛlfrɪ)
nounWord forms: plural -fries
1.
the part of a tower or steeple in which bells are hung
2.
a tower or steeple
Compare campanile3.
the timber framework inside a tower or steeple on which bells are hung
4.
(formerly) a movable tower for attacking fortifications
Word origin
C13: from Old French berfrei, of Germanic origin; compare Middle High German bercfrit fortified tower, Medieval Latin berfredus towerbelfry in American English
(ˈbɛlfri)
nounWord forms: plural ˈbelfries
1.
a movable tower used in ancient warfare for attacking walled positions
2.
a bell tower, esp. one that is part of a building, placed at the top
3.
the part of a tower or steeple that holds the bell or bells
Word origin
ME belfrei, altered by assoc. with belle ( bell1) < berfrai < OFr berfroi < OHG bergfrid, lit., protector of peace < bergen, to protect (see bury) + frid, peaceMore idioms containingbelfry
have bats in the belfry
Image ofbelfry
© Jaroslav Moravcik, shutterstock