knell

¹knell

verb \ˈnel\

Definition of KNELL

transitive verb

: to summon or announce by or as if by a knell

intransitive verb

1

: to ring especially for a death, funeral, or disaster : toll

2

: to sound in an ominous manner or with an ominous effect

Examples of KNELL

1. <the church bells knelled to mark the death of the nation's beloved leader>

Origin of KNELL

Middle English, from Old English cnyllan; akin to Middle High German erknellen to toll

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to KNELL

Synonyms

bong, chime, ²ring, peal, toll

Related Words

chink, clang, clank, clash, clink, ding, ding-dong, gong, jangle, jingle, ping, plink, plunk (or plonk), tang, tingle, tinkle; echo, resonate, resound, reverberate

Rhymes with KNELL

bel, bell, belle, cel, cell, dell, dwell, el, ell, fell, gel, Hel, hell, jell, l, mell, quell, sell, shell, smell, snell, spell, swell, tell, well, yell

²knell

noun

Definition of KNELL

1

: a stroke or sound of a bell especially when rung slowly (as for a death, funeral, or disaster)

2

: an indication of the end or the failure of something <sounded the death knell for our hopes>

First Known Use of KNELL

before 12th century