Word
bellows
Phoneticsbel·lows
US/ˈbɛɫoʊz/
UK/bˈɛləʊz/
Definition
n. a tool that you squeeze to blow air into a fire to make it burn better. It is also a flexible, folding part of an old camera that moves the lens back and forth.
n. a device with flexible sides that can be compressed and expanded to produce a strong current of air. In photography, refers to the pleated, light-tight folding part connecting the lens to the camera body, allowing for focal adjustment.
Examples
“He used the bellows to get the fire started.”
“The photographer extended the leather bellows to focus on the small flower for a macro shot.”
“Traditional blacksmiths relied on large hand-operated bellows to maintain the high temperatures necessary for forging iron into tools.”
Examples
simple
“He used the bellows to get the fire started.”
contextual
“The photographer extended the leather bellows to focus on the small flower for a macro shot.”
complex
“Traditional blacksmiths relied on large hand-operated bellows to maintain the high temperatures necessary for forging iron into tools.”
Usage
Often used with 'a pair of' when referring to the tool for air; takes plural verb agreement.
Real-World Examples
“The crowd bellows in unison in a wail that stretches on and on.” “They used bellows – a big bag that a person could squeeze – to push air from inside the bag through pipes, whistles and leather tubes.” Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/bellows