Knell \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Knell \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Knell \Knell\, v. t. To summon, as by a knell.

Each matin bell, the baron saith, Knells us back to a world of death. --Coleridge.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)