bellwether

== English == === Alternative forms === bell-wether, bellweather, belwether === Etymology === From Middle English belwether, belleweder, equivalent to bell +‎ wether (“castrated ram”). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈbɛlwɛðə/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈbɛlwɛðɚ/ === Noun === bellwether (plural bellwethers) The leading sheep of a flock, having a bell hung round its neck. (figuratively) Anything that indicates future trends. Synonyms: gauge, indicator, sign (finance, figuratively) A stock or bond that is widely believed to be an indicator of the overall market's condition. ==== Derived terms ==== bellwether state bellwether stock ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== omen harbinger === Further reading === bellwether on Wikipedia.Wikipedia