: a slat of wood tied to the end of a thong and making an intermittent roaring sound when whirled that is used especially by Australian aborigines in religious rites or among western peoples as a children's toy
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/bool"rawr'euhr, -rohr'-/, n.
a wooden slat that produces a roaring sound when whirled around one's head on the end of a string or thong, used by some peoples of the world in religious ceremonies and by others as a toy. Also called thunderstick.
[1880-85]
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bullˈ-roarer noun
1. An oblong slip of wood, whirled at the end of a string to give a loud whirring noise
2. A similar artefact used in an Australian Aboriginal ceremonial, the turndun
3. The similar rhombos of the Greek mysteries
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Main Entry: ↑bull
Useful english dictionary. 2012.