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peal

(pēl)

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.

v.tr.

To cause to peal.

[Middle English pele, a bell peal, especially as a summons to church, short for apel, appeal; see APPEAL.]

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

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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