ringer 1
/ring"euhr/ , n.
1. a person or thing that encircles, rings, etc.
2. a quoit or horseshoe so thrown as to encircle the peg.
3. the throw itself.
4. Also, ringers . Also called ring taw . Marbles. a game in which players place marbles in a cross marked in the center of a circle, the object being to knock as many marbles as possible outside the circle by using another marble shooter.
5. Australian. a highly skilled sheep shearer.
[ 1815-25; RING 1 + -ER 1 ]
ringer 2
/ring"euhr/ , n.
1. a person or thing that rings or makes a ringing noise: a ringer of bells; a bell that is a loud ringer.
2. See dead ringer .
3. Slang.
a. a racehorse, athlete, or the like entered in a competition under false representation as to identity or ability.
b. a student paid by another to take an exam.
c. any person or thing that is fraudulent; fake or impostor.
d. a substitute or addition, as a professional musician hired to strengthen a school orchestra: We hired three ringers for the commencement concert.
[ 1375-1425; late ME; see RING 2 , -ER 1 ]