Cascabel
/ˌkæskəˈbɛl/noun
A small bell or rattling ball, especially one attached to a garment, animal harness, or the end of a weapon.
Did you know?Spanish *cascabel* is an expressive word tied to the idea of rattling or tinkling, and its sound-symbolic shape helped it name both bells and the rattling metal balls on old weapons.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval Latin
Lat
cascabus
“a rattling object or bell-like sound”
Old Spanish
Spanish
cascabel
“a small bell or rattle”
15th Century
Spanish
cascabel
“a small bell attached to clothing, animals, or objects”
16th Century
English
cascabel
“a small bell; later, the metal ball on the end of a cannon or sword hilt”