BELLWETHER

PRONUNCIATION: (BEL-weth-uhr)

MEANING: noun:
1. An indicator of future trends.
2. A leader or trendsetter.

ETYMOLOGY: From Old English belle (bell) + wether (castrated ram). Earliest documented use: c. 1440.
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BILL WET HER - Mr Clinton hosed down his boat

BELL TETHER - a leather thong to keep the clapper from striking the bell inavdertently when Big Ben is cleaned once a year

BILL WETHER - your invoice arrives regardless of the outcome of the case; the opposite of a contingency arrangement