kneel
[neel]
- to go down or rest on the knees or a knee.
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- the action or position of kneeling.
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Origin of kneel
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for kneel
Contemporary Examples
As he went to kneel, I took a shot at him and [he] jumped in the door.
I kneel with the journalist in the sand, my face stoic and yet terrified, crying, knowing that I can do nothing but wait.
The three who were killed had been forced to kneel in a prayer position while assassins shot each in the forehead.
Catholic Nuns Aiding Africa's Battered Wives Are Raped and MurderedBarbie Latza Nadeau
September 10, 2014
The nurse then forces him to stand up, kneel down before his father, and address him as “father” thirty times in a row.
‘Web Junkie’ Is a Harrowing Documentary on China’s Internet Addiction Rehab ClinicsMarlow Stern
January 20, 2014
Beyond the Wall, the free folk do not kneel to anyone, unlike their supposedly more civilized neighbors.
Historical Examples
I kneel not, repenting of what I have vowed in such a case as that I have supposed.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
Then, as he was about to kneel down, he saw her before him at his feet.
The DreamEmile Zola
Peter, I'll just kneel and kiss your hands if you can fix this for me.
Her Father's DaughterGene Stratton-Porter
"Then kneel on the ground and pull them up with your hands," said the farmer.
What Sami Sings with the BirdsJohanna Spyri
Let me not kneel in vain, Madam: let me not be thus despised.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
kneel
- (intr) to rest, fall, or support oneself on one's knees
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- the act or position of kneeling
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Word Origin
Old English cnēowlian; see knee
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for kneel
v.
Old English cneowlian, from cneow (see knee (n.)); cf. Middle Low German knelen, Middle Dutch cnielen, Dutch knielen Gothic knussjan. Past tense knelt is a modern formation (19c.) on analogy of feel/felt, etc. Related: Kneeling.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper