Definition

1. Noun (Proper noun):

   • A deity in Babylonian mythology: Bel is the Babylonian god of the earth, considered one of the supreme triad alongside Anu (god of the sky) and Ea (god of water). This figure was earlier identified with the Sumerian god Enlil.

2. Noun (Common noun):

   • A unit of measurement: A bel is a logarithmic unit used to measure sound intensity or power levels. One bel is equal to ten decibels. It is named in honor of Alexander Graham Bell.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Proper noun):

  • In ancient texts, Bel was worshipped as a chief deity of the earth.
  • The triad of Anu, Ea, and Bel was central to Babylonian cosmology.

• Noun (Common noun):

  • The sound level increased by several bels during the concert.
  • A difference of one bel represents a tenfold increase in power.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Context: In acoustics and electrical engineering, the bel is a base-10 logarithm of ratios, such as power or intensity. Because it is a large unit, the decibel (one-tenth of a bel) is more commonly used.
  • The amplifier's gain was expressed in bels for the theoretical calculation.

Variants and Related Words

• Decibel (n): A more commonly used unit, equal to 0.1 bel.
  • Normal conversation is about 60 decibels.
• Bel scale: A term sometimes used to refer to the logarithmic measurement scale using bels.

Synonyms

• For the unit: (None are perfect synonyms, but it is a specific unit of measure) Logarithmic unit, ratio unit.
• For the deity: Earth god (context-specific).

Noun

1. Babylonian god of the earth; one of the supreme triad including Anu and Ea; earlier identified with En-lil
2. a logarithmic unit of sound intensity equal to 10 decibels