bell metal etymology

Etymology

The term "bell metal" derives from the words "bell" and "metal."

• Bell: From Old English "belle," meaning "bell."
• Metal: From Latin "metallum," meaning "metal."

Meaning

Bell metal is a type of alloy used specifically to make bells.

Origin

The exact origin of bell metal is unknown, but its use goes back centuries.

• Ancient China: Bell metal was used in ancient China as early as the Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE).
• Medieval Europe: Bell metal was widely used in medieval Europe to make church bells and other musical instruments.
• Present Day: Bell metal is still used today to make high-quality bells for various purposes.

Composition

Bell metal is typically composed of:

• Copper (80-85%): Provides strength and durability.
• Tin (15-18%): Lowers the melting point and gives the alloy a bright, silvery sound.
• Additions: Other minor elements such as iron, nickel, and zinc may be added to enhance specific properties.

Properties

Bell metal has several properties that make it suitable for making bells:

• Hardness: Resists wear and damage.
• Brittleness: Breaks easily when struck with force, producing a high-pitched sound.
• Resonance: Vibrates freely and produces a clear, resonant tone.
• Corrosion Resistance: Resists rust and tarnishing.

bell metal relate terms

• bell

  Etymology Old English belle a bell Proto Germanic bellu to ring Indo Europe

• bellow

  Etymology Middle English belwe from Old English belg belg noun masculine Proto

• metal

  Etymology The word metal is derived from the Late Latin word metāllum which is ulti

• tocsin

  Etymology of Tocsin The word tocsin derives from the Old French word toquesein wh

• curfew

  Etymology Middle English curfeu from Anglo Norman French cuvrefeu from Medieval Lati

• clapper

  Etymology The word clapper comes from the Middle English word clappen meaning to s

• toll

  Etymology The word toll comes from the Middle English word tol which in turn derive

• belfry

  Etymology Old French berfrei berfroit Late Latin belfredus Germanic possibly Dutch

• peal

  Etymology The word peal comes from the Middle English word pelen meaning to make a

• casting

  Etymology Old English castan past tense cyste Meaning To throw or send somet

• echo

  Etymology The word echo comes from the Greek êkhô which means a sound that is re

• ambition

  Etymology and Meaning of Ambition The word ambition comes from the Latin word ambitio