belfry
UK[ˈbɛlfri]US[ˈbɛlfri]
n
A tower or a room in a tower in which a bell is hung, especially as part of a church or other building.
Etymology
The word 'belfry' has a deceptive history, originally having nothing to do with bells. It entered English from Old French 'berfrei', meaning a movable siege tower. This, in turn, came from a Germanic source, likely related to Middle High German 'berc vrit' meaning a "protective shelter". The association with bells began in Medieval Latin as 'berfredus', and by the 15th century in English, the first syllable was altered to 'bell-' due to the pervasive presence of bells in such towers. Thus, the modern meaning is a classic example of folk etymology reshaping a word to align with its function, obscuring its martial origins.
Analysis
The word is a simplex. Its spelling and morphemic structure have been obscured by folk etymology and historical sound changes. The modern components "bell" and "fry" are not true morphemes in this word's origin.
Examples
The church belfry chimed every hour, marking time for the village.
Bats had made their home in the old, abandoned belfry.
The historic town is famous for its leaning belfry.