Bellwether
a wether or other male sheep that leads the flock, usually bearing a bell.
a person or thing that assumes the leadership or forefront, as of a profession or industry:
Paris is a bellwether of the fashion industry.
a person or thing that shows the existence or direction of a trend; index.
a person who leads a mob, mutiny, conspiracy, or the like; ringleader.
Contemporary Examples
Walmart Customers Have Disappeared. Will They Take the Economy With Them? Megan McArdle February 18, 2013
Despite Obama’s Policies, The Rust Belt’s Revival Could Save His Campaign Joel Kotkin June 24, 2012
Obamaville Don Rose November 5, 2008
A Novelist’s Biracial Struggle John Douglas Marshall March 11, 2010
The Next Wave of Jihadists Reuel Marc Gerecht March 10, 2010
Historical Examples
The Adventures of the Eleven Cuff-Buttons James Francis Thierry
Introduction to the Science of Sociology Robert E. Park
The Champagne Standard Mrs. John Lane
Bonaparte in Egypt and the Egyptians of To-day Haji A. Browne
Assassin Jesse Franklin Bone
noun
a sheep that leads the herd, often bearing a bell
a leader, esp one followed unquestioningly
noun
Word Origin
n.
Read Also:
- Bellwood
a city in NE Illinois, near Chicago. Historical Examples The Window at the White Cat Mary Roberts Rinehart The Window at the White Cat Mary Roberts Rinehart The Window at the White Cat Mary Roberts Rinehart The Window at the White Cat Mary Roberts Rinehart The Window at the White Cat Mary Roberts Rinehart Frank […]
- Bellwort
a plant of the genus Uvularia, of the lily family, having a delicate, bell-shaped yellow flower. Historical Examples Woodcraft Alan Douglas Letters to His Children Theodore Roosevelt noun (US) any plant of the North American liliaceous genus Uvularia, having slender bell-shaped yellow flowers another name for campanula
- Bell-ringer
noun a person who rings church bells a person who plays musical handbells Historical Examples Joan of Arc Ronald Sutherland Gower The Conspirators Alexandre Dumas (Pere) L-bas J. K. Huysmans All’s Well Emily Sarah Holt The Gentleman From Indiana Booth Tarkington L-bas J. K. Huysmans A History of Mourning Richard Davey L-bas J. K. Huysmans […]
- Bell-topper
noun (NZ, obsolete, informal) a tall silk hat Historical Examples Aletta Bertram Mitford
- Bella
a female given name, form of Isabella. Contemporary Examples Bill Condon and Melissa Rosenberg on ‘Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn’ Marlow Stern November 20, 2011 The Future of Twilight Natasha Vargas-Cooper June 30, 2010 ‘On the Road’: Differences Between Jack Kerouac’s Novel and This Year’s Film Anna Klassen December 20, 2012 Battle of the Twilight Heartthrobs […]