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Passing Bell (The)

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It now means the bell tolled to announce the death of one who has died in the parish; but originally it meant the bell which announced that the person was in extrēmis, or passing from time into eternity.

“When a person lies in agony, the bells of the parish he belongs to are touched with the clappers until either he dies or recovers again. As soon as this sign is given, everybody in the street, as well as in the houses, falls on his knees, offering prayer for the sick person.” (See lxvii. of the Canon Law.)—Diary of the Duke of Stettin’s Journey.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Pascal’s Thoughts
Pasch Eggs (pron. Pask)
Pasha of Three Tails (A)
Pasque Eggs
Pasquinade
Pass
Passe Brewell
Passe-partout
Passelourdin
Passelyon
Passing Bell (The)
Passing Fair
Passing Rich
Passion Flower
Passionists
Passover
Passy-measure or Passing-measure
Passy-measure Pavin
Pasteboard
Paston Letters
Pastorale of Pope Gregory

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Toby (the dog)

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Passing-bell