| 释义 |
knell
I. \ˈnel\ verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Middle English knillen, knellen, from Old English cnyllan; akin to Middle High German erknellen to resound, toll, Middle High German knüllen to strike, beat, Old Norse knylla, and probably to Old English cnotta knot — more at knot
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to ring (a bell) with slow solemnity : toll
2. : to summon by or as if by a knell
3. : to announce or proclaim by or as if by a knell
< the bell buoy knells your hour — Marguerite J. Adams >
intransitive verb
1.
a. of a bell : ring; especially : to toll at a death, funeral, or disaster
b. : to sound a knell
2.
a. : to give forth a sound like a knell
< the owl at its knelling — Dylan Thomas >
b. : to sound a warning or have a sound or import of evil omen
II. noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English cnul, knel, from Old English cnyll, from cnyllan, v.
1. : a stroke or sound of a bell (as when tolled at a funeral or at the death of a person) : a death signal or passing bell
2. : a warning of or a sound indicating the passing away of something
< this decision sounded the knell of our hopes > |