bellows

English

/ˈbɛl.oʊz/, /ˈbɛl.əs/, /ˈbɛl.əʊz/

noun
Definitions
  • A device for delivering pressurized air in a controlled quantity to a controlled location. At its most simple terms a bellows is a container which is deformable in such a way as to alter its volume which has an outlet or outlets where one wishes to blow air.
  • Any flexible container or enclosure, as one used to cover a moving joint.
  • (informal) The lungs.
  • (photography) Flexible, light-tight enclosures connecting the lensboard and the camera back.
  • (figurative) That which fans the fire of hatred, jealousy, etc.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English belwes inherited from Old English belg inherited from Proto-Germanic *balgiz (bag, skin, hide, bellows) root from Proto-Indo-European *bʰelǵʰ- (swell, paunch, blow up, pillow, bag).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*bʰelǵʰ-

Gloss

swell, paunch, blow up, pillow, bag

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

枕

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms