call-bell
Definition
- Noun:
- A bell that is rung to summon someone, typically a servant, attendant, or staff member, to a specific location or for assistance.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The hotel room had a call-bell near the bed for guests to request room service. (A bell used to summon hotel staff.)
- In old manor houses, a call-bell was often placed in the dining room to call servants. (A bell used for summoning household help.)
Advanced Usage
"to press the call-bell": to activate or ring the bell to seek attention or service.
- The patient pressed the call-bell to ask the nurse for water. (The patient rang the bell to summon medical staff.)
"call-bell system": a network of bells or electronic devices used in institutions like hospitals or hotels for communication.
- The hospital upgraded its call-bell system to include digital alerts. (The system for summoning assistance was modernized.)
Variants and Related Words
- Call-bell (n): a single compound word; no common variant forms.
- Bell (n): a hollow metal object that rings when struck, often part of a call-bell.
- The bell on the desk was used as a call-bell for the waiter. (The bell served the same summoning function.)
Synonyms
- Summoning bell: a bell rung to call someone.
- Service bell: a bell used to request service, especially in hospitality settings.
Related Idioms
- (No common idioms directly using "call-bell")
- Note: Idioms involving "bell" alone, such as "ring a bell" (to sound familiar), are not directly related to the specific function of a call-bell.