好词典

knell

UK //nel//US //nel//

词源

源自古英语「cnyll」(钟声),与古诺尔斯语「knylla」(敲打)同源,拟声词模仿钟声。

noun

❶ 指教堂钟声,尤其用于丧葬或死亡相关场合的缓慢而沉重的钟声,象征死亡或终结。

“The solemn knell of the church bell announced the passing of the mayor.”

(教堂低沉的钟声宣告了市长的离世。)

“Hearing the knell at midnight gave me an eerie feeling.”

(午夜听到丧钟让我感到毛骨悚然。)

同义词:death knell, tolling, funeral bell

verb

❶ 缓慢而庄严地敲钟,通常预示不好的事情或终结;比喻性表示宣告结束或衰亡。

“Bells knelled across the valley as the war memorial service began.”

(战争纪念仪式开始时,钟声在山谷间缓缓回荡。)

“The old clock knelled the hour with a hollow sound.”

(古老的时钟以空洞的声音报时。)

同义词:ring solemnly, peal, resound

常见短语

death knell — 字面指丧钟,比喻彻底终结某事物的信号或事件,常用于政治、经济等正式语境。

“The invention of smartphones was the death knell for traditional cameras.”

(智能手机的发明宣告了传统相机的终结。)