Main Entry: bel·fry

Pronunciation: \ˈbel-frē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural belfries

Etymology: Middle English belfrey, berfrey, bell tower, siege tower, from Anglo-French *berfrei, *belfrei, of Germanic origin (akin to Middle High German bërvrit siege tower); akin to Old High German bergan to shelter and to Old English frith peace, refuge — more at bury

Date: 15th century

1 : a bell tower; especially : one surmounting or attached to another structure
2 : a room or framework for enclosing a bell
3 : head 2a <batty in the belfry>

[belfry illustration]