from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Knell \Knell\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Knelled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Knelling}.] [OE. knellen, knillen, As. cnyllan. See {Knell},
n.]
To sound as a knell; especially, to toll at a death or
funeral; hence, to sound as a warning or evil omen.
[1913 Webster]
Not worth a blessing nor a bell to knell for thee.
--Beau. & Fl.
[1913 Webster]
Yet all that poets sing, and grief hath known,
Of hopes laid waste, knells in that word, "alone".
--Ld. Lytton.
[1913 Webster]