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pealing

pealing

1 7.7
A deep long sound like thunder or large bells
  • noun
  • /ˈpiːlɪŋ/
translation icon : repique
  • "Sunday morning was bright and sunny, and the Boltons resounded with the pealing of church bells.
  • the pealing of bells

Examples

  • We would not return to cheering crowds, parades, and the pealing of cathedral bells.

    Academic text (2003)
  • A pealing of bells echoed out across the countryside, the most beautiful sound Vincent had ever heard.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • It was only when the organ stopped its gentle murmur, paused, and then began the pealing processional that she lifted her head.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • From the church came the distant sound of a rich and wonderful plainchant, heavy with basses and offset by the high notes of tenors, all of which was counterpointed by the pealing of the multitoned church bells that seemed to give the air a crystalline lightness.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The pealing of church bells marked the beginning of the wedding ceremony.

  • As the storm approached, the pealing of thunder echoed ominously overhead.

  • Every hour, we could hear the pealing bells from the old tower signaling the time.

Synonyms

roll
vspealing
218 2.7

A long deep sound from drums or thunder

is more about one long sustained deep tone rather than repeated beats
ringing
vspealing
133 1.0

A clear loud sound a bell or similar thing makes when hit

is darker and more prolonged rather than bright and clear sounding
rumbling
vspealing
75 3.2

A deep low sound that you can hear for a long time, often from thunder, machines, or your stomach

is focused on musical depth and prolonged bell or thunder tone
chime
vspealing
23 1.7

A clear musical ringing sound made by a bell or a set of bells

is deeper and louder rather than light, musical clarity
toll
vspealing
20 6.3

The slow deep sound a bell makes when hit

is continuous and prolonged rather than slow repeated strikes
dong
vspealing
9 5.8

A deep sound a large bell or clock makes when it rings

is about an ongoing deep sound rather than one isolated strike
peal
vspealing
4 5.8

A deep, long, loud sound often from bells or thunder

is the same continuous deep sound focused on duration and depth
bell ringing
vspealing
1 3.3

A sound made by bells during a ceremony or musical performance

is less musical and more about a single deep prolonged sound
rolling
vspealing
1 3.7

A deep continuous sound like thunder or large bells

is similar but emphasizes single prolonged depth rather than motion

Antonyms

660 2.0

A period with no sound or speech

45 1.0

A calm time with little or no sound

How Prolonged

roll
218 2.7
pealing
1 7.7
to peal
1 6.4
to toll
9 7.5
to chime
61 3.0

Surface Forms

pealing singular
pealings plural

Morphology

pealing = peal (transparent) = peal + ing

The noun is directly built from 'peal' with the suffix '-ing', referring to the sound of pealing.

Etymology

Pealing comes from the older word peal, which meant a 'loud, ringing sound' often used for bells or for a burst of laughter. So, pealing means a long, deep ringing or rumble, like the sound of large bells or distant thunder.