Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Belfry
Bel′fry
,Noun.
[OE.
berfray
movable tower used in sieges, OF. berfreit
, berfroit
, F. beffroi
, fr. MHG. bervrit
, bercvrit
, G. bergfriede
, fr. MHG. bergen
to protect (G. bergen
to conceal) + vride
peace, protection, G. friede
peace; in compounds often taken in the sense of security, or place of security; orig. therefore a place affording security. G. friede
is akin to E. free
. See Burg
, and Free
.] 1.
(Mil. Antiq.)
A movable tower erected by besiegers for purposes of attack and defense.
2.
A bell tower, usually attached to a church or other building, but sometimes separate; a campanile.
3.
A room in a tower in which a bell is or may be hung; or a cupola or turret for the same purpose.
4.
(Naut.)
The framing on which a bell is suspended.
Webster 1828 Edition
Belfry
BEL'FRY
,Noun.
1.
Among military writers of the middle age, a tower erected by besiegers to overlook the place besieged, in which sentinels were placed to watch the avenues, and to prevent surprise from parties of the enemy, or to give notice of fires,by ringing a bell.2.
That part of a steeple,or other building, in which a bell is hung, and more particularly, the timer work which sustains it.