A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1450-1597, 1650-1651
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Knell, v. Also: knel(e, kneill. [ME. knell(e (14th c.), beside knylle, knulle, OE. cnyllan.]
1. tr. To ring (a bell). Also absol.1491 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. I. 255.
That nay chaplane knele the bell to causs the segirstane to ringe bot at the hour ordanit 1586 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 476.
The greitt bell to be knellit at ten houris at evin 1591 Elgin Rec. II. 16.
[The Session] forbidds the belman to knellthe hand bell … or ony uther bell [for the deceased] a1651 Calderwood II. 363. a1651 Ib. V. 138.
The trumpets were blowin, the commoun bell knelledabsol. 1530 Aberd. B. Rec. I. Pref. xxxvii.
The watch … in Santt Nicholas stepill … [is] to knell ay continuall; and quhowsone the watch in the tolbuitht heiris him knelland continuall and fast, than he sall jow the comond bell 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 11.
The portar sal … ryng dayly at v houris … ; at ten he sal knel; at half houre to xi knel; at xi ryng to the dennar; at grace knel [etc.]
2. intr. Said of the bell to ring.1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. i. 313.
Thir megir bellis … Quhilks with the wind concordandlie sa knellis 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 210.
And in myne eir the bell of deith bene knelland 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 231.
Heir ȝe the Lordis bell, Knelland fast in ȝour eir 1597 Misc. Maitl. C. I. 129.
The first bell to the secund service to knell at the end of the first service
b. transf. Said of a trumpet: to sound.c1450-2 Howlat 764.
Claryonis lowde knellis, Portatiuis, and bellis c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5609.
That terrabyll trumpat, lyke ane bell, So quiklye in my eir doith knell
3. tr. To strike or knock (a blow).c1590 J. Stewart 59/67.
Cupid knew scho keine vold kneill [: suell] The douce desyrit dint
