GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Knell (?), n. [OE. knel, cnul, AS. cnyll, fr. cnyllan to sound a bell; cf. D. & G. knallen to clap, crack, G. & Sw. knall a clap, crack, loud sound, Dan. knalde to clap, crack.  Cf. Knoll, n. & v.] The stroke of a bell tolled at a funeral or at the death of a person; a death signal; a passing bell; hence, (figuratively), a warning or harbinger of, or a sound indicating, the passing away of anything; -- also called death knell.
   
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   The dead man's knell
   
   Is there scarce asked for who. Shak.
   
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   The curfew tolls the knell of parting day. Gray.
   
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2.       
   Knell, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Knelled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Knelling.] [OE. knellen, knillen, As. cnyllan. See Knell, n.] To sound as a knell; especially, to toll at a death or funeral; hence, to sound as a warning or evil omen.
   
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   Not worth a blessing nor a bell to knell for thee. Beau. & Fl.
   
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   Yet all that poets sing, and grief hath known,
   
   Of hopes laid waste, knells in that word, “alone”. Ld. Lytton.
   
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3.       
   Knell, v. t. To summon, as by a knell.
   
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   Each matin bell, the baron saith,
   
   Knells us back to a world of death. Coleridge.
   
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