/ niːl; NAmE / verb
( knelt , knelt / nelt; NAmE /) ( NAmE also kneeled , kneeled ) [ v ] kneel (down) to be in or move into a position where your body is supported on your knee or knees :
a kneeling figure
We knelt (down) on the ground to examine the tracks.
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English cnēowlian , from cnēow , of Germanic origin (see knee ).