peal

Meanings

Noun

• A loud sound, or a succession of loud sounds, as of bells, thunder, cannon, shouts, laughter, of a multitude, etc.
• A set of bells tuned to each other according to the diatonic scale.
• The changes rung on a set of bells; in the strict sense a full peal of at least 5040 changes.
• A small salmon; a grilse; a sewin.

Verb

• To sound with a peal or peals.
• To utter or sound loudly.
• To assail with noise.
• To resound; to echo.
• To appeal.

Origin

• From Middle English pele, peil, probably an apheretic variant of Middle English apel, appel, from Old French apel. Compare appeal.
• Uncertain.