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bellwether

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The definition of a bellwether is someone or something that is an indicator of future trends.

(noun)

If rising unemployment numbers are an indicator of a recession, then they are an example of a bellwether of recession.

See bellwether in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a male sheep, usually wearing a bell, that leads the flock
a leader, esp. of a sheeplike crowd
anything suggesting the general tendency or direction of events, style, etc.

Origin: ME: see bell & wether

See bellwether in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

One that serves as a leader or as a leading indicator of future trends: “The degree to which the paper is censored is a political bellwether” (Justine De Lacy).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English bellewether, wether with a bell hung from its neck, leader of the flock

Origin: : belle, bell; see bell¹

Origin: + wether, wether; see wether

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