bellwether
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
The chief or leader of a mob; an idea taken from a flock of sheep, where the wether has a bell about his neck.
Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “bellwether” mean?
The chief or leader of a mob; an idea taken from a flock of sheep, where the wether has a bell about his neck.
Is “bellwether” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.