Bel"fry (?), n. [OE. berfray movable
tower used in sieges, OF. berfreit, berfroit, F.
beffroi, fr. MHG. bervrit, bercvrit, G.
bergfriede, fr. MHG. bergen to protect (G. bergen to
conceal) + vride peace, protection, G. friede peace; in
compounds often taken in the sense of security, or place of security; orig.
therefore a place affording security. G. friede is akin to E.
free. See Burg, and Free.] 1. (Mil.
Antiq.) A movable tower erected by besiegers for purposes of
attack and defense.
2. A bell tower, usually attached to a church or
other building, but sometimes separate; a campanile.
3. A room in a tower in which a bell is or may be
hung; or a cupola or turret for the same purpose.
4. (Naut.) The framing on which a bell is
suspended.