[f. BELL sb.1] One whose business it is to ring a church or town bell at stated times or on stated occasions.
1543. Bale, Yet a Course, 24. Parysh clarkes and bellryngers.
1682. N. O., trans. Boileau’s Lutrin, iv. 133. Who should come in, but Girard the Bell-ringer?
1841. Dickens, Barn. Rudge, 3/2. The parish clerk and bellringer of Chigwell.
So Bell-ringing vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
c. 1315. Shoreham, 8. Holi thynges, As hali water … Liȝt, and bel-ryngynges.
1408. E. E. Wills (1882), 15. Wyth Belle Ryngyng … and Masse of requiem.
1883. Daily News, 30 July, 5/8. She and her party made the excursion in those bellringing showy equipages conducted by postillions and drawn by four strong horses.
