SuaviloquyToday’s word

bellow

Bellow, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bellowed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Bellowing.]

Etymology: [OE. belwen, belowen, AS. bylgean, fr. bellan; akin to G. bellen, and perh. to L. flere to weep, OSlav. bleja to bleat, Lith. balsas voice. Cf. Bell, n. & v., Bawl, Bull.]

1. To make a hollow, loud noise, as an enraged bull.

2. To bowl; to vociferate; to clamor. Dryden.

3. To roar; as the sea in a tempest, or as the wind when violent; to make a loud, hollow, continued sound. The bellowing voice of boiling seas. Dryden.

2 other Webster entries under this spelling

Bellow, v. t.

To emit with a loud voice; to shout; -- used with out. "Would bellow out a laugh." Dryden.

Bellow, n.

A loud resounding outcry or noise, as of an enraged bull; a roar.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for bellow; he lists it under call.

Where he writes about it:

Bellow and roar are applied to the utterances of animals, and only contemptuously to those of persons. — from call