death bell
/ˈdɛθ bɛl/(also dead bell, deid bell)
noun
1A bell rung at a person's death or funeral; a passing bell. Also figurative and in figurative contexts. Now chiefly historical.
- See note at passing bell..
2A sound in the ears like the ringing of a bell or (in plural) bells, supposed by some people to portend death.
Origin
Mid 16th century. Originally from death + bell.