\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.

\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.

\Knell\, v. t.
To summon, as by a knell.
      Each matin bell, the baron saith, Knells us back to a
      world of death.                          --Coleridge.