BELLWETHER


Meaning of BELLWETHER in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈbel-ˈwe-thər, -ˌwe- ]

noun

Etymology: Middle English, leading sheep of a flock, leader, from belle bell + wether; from the practice of belling the leader of a flock

Date: 13th century

: one that takes the lead or initiative : leader ; also : an indicator of trends

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.