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Glite Dictionary
bellpull

bellpull

8.8
A cord or handle that you pull to ring a bell and call someone
  • noun
  • /ˈbɛlˌpʌl/
  • Archaic
translation icon : tirador de campana
  • She pulled the bellpull to summon the servants for dinner.

Examples

  • When she left our father's house for the New Age, its redundant footmen, bellpulls, and puddings, nothing remained in our father's study but a few fossilized clams and a coconut.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Why was there no bellpull in this room?

    Fiction book (1994)

  • She loved the defunct bellpulls in the kitchen, artifacts from the days of many servants.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • The ornate bellpull in the hallway was a charming touch in the old house.

  • Visitors often admired the vintage bellpull near the entrance of the manor.

Synonyms

doorbell
vsbellpull
144 1.0

A button by the front door that rings when someone presses it to tell you a visitor is there

is a manual cord or handle pulled rather than an electric push
bell push
vsbellpull
  • UK
4.6

A button on a door or wall you press to ring a bell at an entrance

is operated by pulling a cord or handle rather than pressing

Surface Forms

bellpull singular
bellpulls plural

Morphology

bellpull = bell + pull (transparent) = bell + pull

Simple compound of 'bell' + 'pull'; learners who know both words can infer it is a cord or handle for pulling a bell.

Etymology

The word bellpull comes from the simple parts bell and pull. It originally meant the cord or handle you 'pull' to 'ring' a 'bell' to call servants or announce visitors.