Basic Guidelines For English Spellings
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(Chiefly in plural) a bell attached to a rucksack, walking stick, etc., to signal the presence of a person walking in an area frequented by bears.
Bear bells are carried in the hope that the sound will encourage a bear to leave the area, and not be startled by a person's sudden appearance, though their efficacy is debated.
1970s; earliest use found in The Oakland Tribune.