dumbbell
A weight training implement consisting of a short bar with weight counterpoised on…A weight training implement consisting of a short bar with weight counterpoised on each end.
» How much does that dumbbell weigh?
Meaning
3 sensesA weight training implement consisting of a short bar with weight counterpoised on each end.
He was exercising with the dumbbells in gym class today.
Kurzhantel, Hantel
ганте́льgantɛ́lʹ, ганте́ляgantɛ́lja
ганте́льhantélʹ
an exercising weight; two spheres connected by a short bar that serves as a handle
(derogatory, slang)A stupid person.
болва́нbolván, тупи́цаtupíca
an ignorant or foolish person
(obsolete)A bell with no clapper, used as bell-striking practice or to strike as a form of physical exercise
Examples
4 sentencesHow much does that dumbbell weigh?
Tom struggled to lift the heavy dumbbell.
ruТом с трудом поднимал тяжёлую гантель.
A dumbbell should not be dropped on the floor.
I bought dumbbells.
ruЯ купил гантели.
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 2
By meaning 1
Origin
From dumb (“silent”) + bell (“a resonating instrument”). The term "dumbbell" originated inFrom dumb (“silent”) + bell (“a resonating instrument”). The term "dumbbell" originated in 16th-century England to describe silent exercise apparatus used in practicing the motions of ringing church bells noiselessly. To aid them in the practice of their physically demanding vocation, bellringers originally used weighted ropes on fixed pulleys to mimic the motion of ringing a church bell; since such apparatus made no noise while imitating the motion of ringing a swinging bell via a fixed pulley, they were called "dumb bells". Later, the rope-and-pulley weights evolved into simple hand-held weights used by ringers for strengthening the shoulder and back muscles heavily used in tower bellringing, and the term "'dumb bell'" evolved into the compound word "'dumbbell'".
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