The Bell Witch is considered one of the most famous American hauntings. The events took place in the early 19th century in Robertson County, Tennessee. The story revolves around the Bell family and their encounters with a malevolent spirit, known as the Bell Witch. The haunting began in 1817 when strange noises were heard by John Bell and his family. It started with knocking on the doors and walls of their farmhouse. The family members would often hear scratching sounds, objects being thrown, and even witnessing their beds being shaken.

feral

brutal, brutish, bestial, feral mean characteristic of an animal in nature, action, or instinct.

brutal applies to people, their acts, or their words and suggests a lack of intelligence, feeling, or humanity.

brutish stresses likeness to an animal in low intelligence, in base appetites, and in behavior based on instinct.

bestial suggests a state of degradation unworthy of humans and fit only for beasts.

feral suggests the savagery or ferocity of wild animals.

The family members would often hear scratching sounds, objects being thrown, and even witnessing their beds being shaken. These supernatural events not only terrified the family but also the whole community. The Bell Witch's presence became more sinister over time.

Examples of feral in a Sentence

Quotes--> Extra Examples--> They led a feral existence. animal experts discourage homeowners from trying to adopt feral animals as pets

Recent Examples on the Web Their survival mantra: Don’t get bit, don’t get scratched, don’t become…feral. — Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Dec. 2023 Suffice to say, local officials are understandably worried about what the ecological impacts of an even larger feral population of the mammals would look like. — Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 6 Dec. 2023 The situation has led many hunters to stop harvesting wild boars altogether, giving rise to a new problem: the proliferation of these feral pigs. — Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2023 End of carousel But the true pleasure of this reissue are its little secrets and surprises: the seaside field recordings of Luc Ferrari; the feral tape manipulations of Roland Kayn; the primordial electronics of Zoltán Pongrácz, Rainer Riehn and Gottfried Michael Koenig. — Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 15 Dec. 2023 Tanya Plibersek, Australia’s minister for the environment and water, declared war on feral cats in September 2023. — Celia Ford, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2023 As pure carnivores who lack the ability to process plant material, household and feral cats are always on the prowl for prey to hunt or carrion to scavenge. — Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 12 Dec. 2023 Nicolas Cage, hangdog and half feral, wanders into it, traps a paw, and can’t get out. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2023 Plaza, too, has an affinity for a feral character desperate for a safe haven. — Peter Marks, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'feral.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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She began tormenting John Bell by slapping his face and pulling his hair. She would whisper in his ears and mimic the voices of family members. The supernatural occurrences escalated to the point where the Bell family sought help from others. The story of the Bell Witch spread beyond their community, attracting the attention of media and the curious visitors who wanted to witness the haunting for themselves. Even future president, Andrew Jackson, paid a visit to the Bell family. It is said that he was terrified after experiencing strange phenomena during his stay. According to legend, the Bell Witch claimed responsibility for John Bell's death. She allegedly poisoned him, causing his demise in 1820. After his death, the haunting ceased, and the spirit disappeared. However, some believe the Bell Witch still exists to this day. The haunting of the Bell Witch has inspired numerous books, movies, and even a musical. It has become an enduring legend in American folklore, captivating the imagination of many. Whether or not the events were real, the story of the Bell Witch remains a chilling tale that continues to enchant and intrigue people..

Reviews for "The Bell Witch: An American Horror Story"

1. Charles - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Enchanted: The Bell Witch". The storyline felt disjointed and the acting was subpar. The scares were predictable and lacked any real tension. Overall, I found the movie to be boring and unoriginal. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a good horror flick.

2. Emily - 1 star - "Enchanted: The Bell Witch" was a complete waste of time. The plot was confusing and the characters were underdeveloped. I didn't find any of the so-called scares to be remotely scary. The whole movie felt like a cheap attempt to cash in on the horror genre without putting in any effort. I regretted watching it and would advise others to skip it altogether.

3. Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Enchanted: The Bell Witch" based on the trailer, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was off, with long stretches of boring dialogue and little to no action. The characters were unlikable and I struggled to connect with any of them. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, it didn't live up to the hype and left me feeling disappointed.

4. Sarah - 1 star - "Enchanted: The Bell Witch" was a major letdown. The acting was laughable and the special effects were cheesy. The movie relied heavily on jump scares, which quickly became repetitive and ineffective. I found myself rolling my eyes through most of it, unable to take anything seriously. Save yourself the trouble and choose a better horror movie to watch.

Bell Witch: The Legacy of Terror in Adams, Tennessee