'To ring the changes upon' definitions:

Definition of 'To ring the changes upon'

From: GCIDE

Ring \Ring\ (r[i^]ng), v. t. [imp. Rang (r[a^]ng) or Rung (r[u^]ng); p. p. Rung; p. pr. & vb. n. Ringing.] [AS. hringan; akin to Icel. hringja, Sw. ringa, Dan. ringe, OD. ringhen, ringkelen. [root]19.]
1. To cause to sound, especially by striking, as a metallic body; as, to ring a bell. [1913 Webster]
2. To make (a sound), as by ringing a bell; to sound. [1913 Webster]
The shard-borne beetle, with his drowsy hums, Hath rung night's yawning peal. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
3. To repeat often, loudly, or earnestly. [1913 Webster]
To ring a peal, to ring a set of changes on a chime of bells.
To ring the changes upon. See under Change.
To ring in or To ring out, to usher, attend on, or celebrate, by the ringing of bells; as, to ring out the old year and ring in the new. --Tennyson.
To ring the bells backward, to sound the chimes, reversing the common order; -- formerly done as a signal of alarm or danger. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]