knell

/nɛl/

Other forms: knells; knelling; knelled

A knell is a ringing sound, particularly from a bell tolled to announce a death or the end of something. Which is kind of depressing.

From the Old English cnyll, meaning “sound made by a bell when struck or rung slowly,” comes our modern day knell. It certainly describes the slow, ominous sound of funeral bells, but isn't always used so literally: We often say that a final blow or action that will bring an end to something sounds or signals the death knell. And if you hear a bell knell in your dreams, look out — superstition says that's not a good sign.

Definitions of knell

1. noun

   the sound of a bell rung slowly to announce a death or a funeral or the end of something
   type of:

   bell, toll

   the sound of a bell being struck
2. verb

   ring as in announcing death
   type of:

   peal, ring

   sound loudly and sonorously
3. verb

   make (bells) ring, often for the purposes of musical edification
   synonyms: ring

   types:

   toll

   ring slowly

   type of:

   sound

   cause to sound