1 —none. 1 circular band, usu of metal, worn on a finger. 2 circular band of any material. 3 rim of a cylindrical or circular object, or a line or band round it. 4 mark etc. Resembling a ring (rings round his eyes; smoke rings). 5 ring in the cross-section of a tree, produced by one year`s growth. 6 a enclosure for a circus performance, boxing, betting at races, showing of cattle, etc. B (prec. By the) bookmakers collectively. 7 a people or things in a circle.
2 —verb. (past rang; past part. Rung) 1 (often foll. By out etc.) Give a clear resonant or vibrating sound of or as of a bell. 2 a make (esp. A bell) ring. B (absol.) Call by ringing a bell (you rang, sir?). 3 (also absol.; often foll. By up) call by telephone (will ring you). 4 (usually. Foll. By with, to) (of a place) resound with a sound, fame, etc. (theatre rang with applause). 5 (of the ears) be filled with a sensation of ringing. 6 a sound (a peal etc.) On bells. B (of a bell) sound (the hour etc.). 7 (foll. By in, out) usher in or out with bell-ringing (rang out the old year). 8 convey a specified impression (words rang true). —none. 1 ringing sound or tone. 2 act or sound of ringing a bell. 3 colloq. Telephone call (give me a ring). 4 specified feeling conveyed by words etc. (had a melancholy ring). 5 set of esp. Church bells. ? ring back make a return telephone call to. Ring a bell colloq. Begin to revive a memory. Ring down (or up) the curtain 1 cause the curtain to be lowered or raised. 2 (foll. By on) mark the end or the beginning of (an enterprise etc.). Ring in report or make contact by telephone. Ring off end a telephone call. Ring round telephone several people. Ring up 1 call by telephone. 2 record (an amount etc.) On a cash register. [old english]