bellwether
Use Bellwether in a sentence
ər noun
2.
a person or thing that assumes the leadership or forefront, as of a profession or industry: Paris is a bellwether of the fashion industry.
3.
a person or thing that shows the existence or direction of a trend; index.
4.
a person who leads a mob, mutiny, conspiracy, or the like; ringleader.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To bellwether
00:10
Bellwether
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
bellwether (ˈbɛlˌwɛðə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a sheep that leads the herd, often bearing a bell |
| 2. | a leader, esp one followed unquestioningly |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
| Main Entry: | bellwether1 |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | an indication of a trend |
| Etymology: | Middle English belle 'bell' + wether 'castrated male sheep' |
| Main Entry: | bellwether2 |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | one who takes initiative or leadership |
| Etymology: | Middle English belle 'bell' + wether 'castrated male sheep' |
| Main Entry: | bellwether3 |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | a belled male sheep |
| Etymology: | Middle English belle 'bell' + wether 'castrated male sheep' |
Etymonline
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
The elections were also seen as a bellwether for similar efforts within the industry to unionize.
Experts said the failure was likely due to a poorly run operation and was not an industry bellwether.
Turner's victory should not be seen as a bellwether.
Temporary staffing is often a bellwether of employment.
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