kneel

American  

[neel] / nil /

verb (used without object)

knelt, kneeled, kneeling

1. to go down or rest on the knees or a knee.

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noun

1. the action or position of kneeling.

kneel British  

/ niːl /

verb

1. (intr) to rest, fall, or support oneself on one's knees

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noun

1. the act or position of kneeling

Other Word Forms

• kneeler noun
• kneelingly adverb
• unkneeling adjective

Etymology

Origin of kneel

First recorded before 1000; Middle English knelen, Old English cnēowlian (cognate with Low German knelen, Dutch knielen ). See knee, -le

Example Sentences

He knelt over the raft’s edge and pulled back his hood, splashing cool water over his snout.

From Literature

The guard knelt and ran her hands the length of the cot.

From Literature

We knelt side by side by the window looking out at the woodshed.

From Literature

Krukoslik hung his spoon on his’ belt, and went to kneel by the small fire at the entrance to the shelter, where he murmured a brief prayer of thanks.

From Literature

Ma let out a strangled cry as she knelt at his side.

From Literature

Related Words

• bow