fell

noun (1)

\ ˈfel

How to pronounce fell (audio)

\

Definition of fell

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 : skin, hide, pelt

2 : a thin tough membrane covering a carcass directly under the hide

fell

verb

felled; felling; fells

Definition of fell (Entry 2 of 5)

transitive verb

1a : to cut, knock, or bring down fell a tree

b : kill Her father was felled by a heart attack.

2 : to sew (a seam) by folding one raw edge under the other and sewing flat on the wrong side

fell

Definition of fell (Entry 3 of 5)

past tense of fall

fell

adjective

Definition of fell (Entry 4 of 5)

1a : fierce, cruel, terrible

b : sinister, malevolent a fell purpose

c : very destructive : deadly a fell disease

2 Scotland : sharp, pungent

fell

noun

Definition of fell (Entry 5 of 5)

dialectal British

: a high barren field or moor

Other Words from fell Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About fell

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Other Words from fell

Verb

fellable \ ˈfe-lə-bəl

\ adjective

feller noun

Adjective

fellness noun

Examples of fell in a Sentence

Verb using an ax to fell a tree He's strong enough to fell an ox. Adjective planning in the event that the enemy resorted to biological warfare and released some fell virus on the civilian population war crimes committed by a fell and barbarous enemy

First Known Use of fell

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for fell

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German fel skin, Latin pellis

Verb

Middle English, from Old English fellan; akin to Old English feallan to fall — more at fall

Adjective

Middle English fel, from Anglo-French — more at felon

Noun

Middle English, from Old Norse fell, fjall mountain; akin to Old High German felis rock

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Dictionary Entries Near fell

fell

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Cite this Entry

“Fell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fell. Accessed 24 Oct. 2021.

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More Definitions for fell

fell

verb

English Language Learners Definition of fell (Entry 2 of 2)

: to cut down (a tree)

: to beat or knock down (someone or something)

See the full definition for fell in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fell

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of fell (Entry 4 of 2)

: very fierce or cruel

fell

verb

\ ˈfel

\

felled; felling

Kids Definition of fell

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to cut or knock down I felled a tree.

fell

Kids Definition of fell (Entry 2 of 2)

past tense of fall

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