peal  (p ēl)
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n.1. A ringing of a set of bells, especially a change or set of changes rung on bells. 2. A set of bells tuned to each other; a chime. 3. A loud burst of noise: peals of laughter. v. pealed, peal·ing, peals v.intr. To sound in a peal; ring.
[Middle English pele, a bell peal, especially as a summons to church, short for apel, appeal; see APPEAL.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2020 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices
Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:
Indo-European Roots
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