from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Ring \Ring\ (r[i^]ng), v. t. [imp. {Rang} (r[a^]ng) or {Rung}
(r[u^]ng); p. p. {Rung}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Ringing}.] [AS.
hringan; akin to Icel. hringja, Sw. ringa, Dan. ringe, OD.
ringhen, ringkelen. [root]19.]
1. To cause to sound, especially by striking, as a metallic
body; as, to ring a bell.
[1913 Webster]
2. To make (a sound), as by ringing a bell; to sound.
[1913 Webster]
The shard-borne beetle, with his drowsy hums,
Hath rung night's yawning peal. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
3. To repeat often, loudly, or earnestly.
[1913 Webster]
{To ring a peal}, to ring a set of changes on a chime of
bells.
{To ring the changes upon}. See under {Change}.
{To ring in} or {To ring out}, to usher, attend on, or
celebrate, by the ringing of bells; as, to ring out the
old year and ring in the new. --Tennyson.
{To ring the bells backward}, to sound the chimes, reversing
the common order; -- formerly done as a signal of alarm or
danger. --Sir W. Scott.
[1913 Webster]