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 stoke of a bell tolled at a funeral or at the death of a person; a death signal; a passing bell; hence, figuratively, a warning of, or a sound indicating, the passing away of anything.
The dead man's knell
Is there scarce asked for who.
Shak.
The curfew tolls the knell of parting day.
Gray.
© Webster 1913.
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.
Not worth a blessing nor a bell to knell for thee.
Beau. & Fl.
Yet all that poets sing, and grief hath known,
Of hopes laid waste, knells in that word, "alone".
Ld. Lytton.
© Webster 1913.
Knell, v. t.
To summon, as by a knell.
Each matin bell, the baron saith,
Knells us back to a world of death.
Coleridge.
© Webster 1913.