[Goes with prec. sb.] a. intr. To emit a deep ringing sound, as a bell when struck. Also with cognate object. Cf. TANG v.2 1, 3. b. trans. To cause (a bell, or other resonant body) to emit such a sound. Tong out, to sound forth by tonging. Hence Tonging vbl. sb.
1584. R. Scot, Discov. Witchcr., XII. xviii. (1886), 218. Trusting rather to the tonging of their belles, than to their own crie unto God.
1881. Miss Jackson, Shropsh. Word-bk., Tong v.a. and v.n., to cause to sound,—to sound in one tone, as of a church-bell.
1883. Hampshire Gloss., s.v., ‘The bells be tonged,’ i.e. are being tolled.
1907. Scribner’s Mag., Feb., 151. The great bell of the cathedral tonged out the vespers.
