English Explanatory Dictionary

kneel

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To rest on one's bent knees, sometimes only one; to move to such a position.
  2. To sink down so that the entrance is level with the pavement, making it easier for passengers to enter.
  3. To cause to kneel.
  4. To rest on (one's) knees.

Pronunciation

nēl /niːl/ /kniːl/ en-us-kneel.ogg

Word forms

kneel kneels kneeling knelt kneeled

Etymology

From Middle English knelen, from Old English cnēowlian (“to kneel”), equivalent to knee + -le. Cognate with Dutch knielen, Low German knelen, dialectal German knielen, Alemannic German chnüle, Danish knæle, all meaning “to kneel”.

Derived words

kneel before kneeler kneeling bus kneeling chair kneelo
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