Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small bell designed to be held and rung by hand: A "handbell" is a musical instrument consisting of a bell, typically made of brass or bronze, with a handle attached. It is played by holding the handle and moving the bell to produce a sound.

Usage

• A "handbell" is used by a single player or, more commonly, by a group of players in a handbell choir or ensemble, where each musician is responsible for a specific set of notes.
• It is a percussion instrument where the pitch is determined by the size and thickness of the bell.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The church choir performed a beautiful piece using a set of handbells.
  • She practiced her part by ringing the silver handbell gently.

Advanced Usage

• "To ring a handbell": The standard phrase for playing the instrument.
  • The conductor signaled for the musician to ring the handbell on the fourth beat.
• "Handbell choir" or "handbell ensemble": A musical group specializing in this instrument.
  • He has been a member of the university handbell choir for three years.

Variants and Related Words

• Handbell ringer (n): A person who plays a handbell.
  • The handbell ringer had perfect timing.
• Handbell table: A padded table on which handbells are placed when not being rung.
• Bell (n): The general term for a hollow metallic instrument that produces a ringing sound. A handbell is a specific type of bell.

Synonyms

• Small bell: A general descriptive synonym.
• Tintinnabulum (n, formal/literary): A small, tinkling bell.

Related Phrases

• "As clear as a bell": An idiom meaning very clear or easy to understand. While not specific to handbells, it uses the general concept of a bell's sound.
  • Her instructions were as clear as a bell.

Noun

1. a bell that is held in the hand