n.
Pronunciation: ' nel
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English cnyllan; akin to Middle High German er knellen to toll
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb : to summon or announce by or as if by a knell
intransitive verb
1 : to ring especially for a death, funeral, or disaster : TOLL
2 : to sound in an ominous manner or with an ominous effect