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
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Examples of knell in a Sentence
the church bells knelled to mark the death of the nation's beloved leader
Origin and Etymology of knell
see 2knell
knell
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
Origin and Etymology of knell
Middle English, from Old English cnyllan; akin to Middle High German erknellen to toll
KNELL Defined for English Language Learners
knell
Definition of knell for English Language Learners
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: a sound of a bell when it is rung slowly because someone has died
KNELL Defined for Kids
knell
playDefinition of knell for Students
1 : a stroke or sound of a bell especially when rung slowly for a death, funeral, or disaster
2 : an indication of the end or failure of something “… it sounds the death knell of our society.” — Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea
Learn More about knell
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See words that rhyme with knell Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for knell Spanish Central: Translation of knell Nglish: Translation of knell for Spanish speakers
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