Definitions for knell

• Definition
• Anagrams (24)

knell knell

Spelling: [nel]

IPA: /nɛl/

Knell is a 5 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 9 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 12 points.

You can make 24 anagrams from letters in knell (eklln).

Definitions for knell

noun

1. the sound made by a bell rung slowly, especially for a death or a funeral.
2. a sound or sign announcing the death of a person or the end, extinction, failure, etc., of something:
3. any mournful sound.

verb (used with object)

1. to proclaim or summon by, or as if by, a bell.

verb (used without object)

1. to sound, as a bell, especially a funeral bell.
2. to give forth a mournful, ominous, or warning sound.

Origin of knell

before 950; (noun) Middle English knel, Old English cynll; (v.) Middle English knellen, knyllen, Old English cynllan; cognate with Old Norse knylla to beat, strike; akin to Dutch knal bang, k

Examples for knell

The volley which pierced his breast was the knell of the Bonaparte dynasty.

It fell upon my ears like a cry of vengeance—like a knell of death!

The grave, sweet voice sounded on her ears as the knell of hope.

The dead I knell, the living wake, And the power of lightning break!

Still that word, which rang like a knell in his dazed brain!

And I laughed aloud—the fool's laughter that was my knell of ruin!

It sounded the knell of all hope of redress of their wrongs.

The Gap answered him; and the answer was like the knell of doom.

How often does the knell of vanished power repeat the lesson!

The signs, which certainly did look like signs of guilt, struck a knell on the heart of his father.