Webster's English Dictionary

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knell

1. knell \'nel\ vb [ME knellen, fr. OE cnyllan; akin to MHG erknellen to 
   toll] 1: to ring esp. for a death, funeral, or disaster : TOLL  2: to sound 
   in an ominous manner or with an ominous effect  : to summon, announce, or 
   proclaim by or as if by a knell 
2. knell n 1: a stroke or sound of a bell esp. when rung slowly for a 
   death, funeral,  or disaster 2: a sound or other indication of a death or 
   of the end or failure of somet hing