kneel

[neel]

verb (used without object)

knelt, kneeled, kneeling. 

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

noun

1. the action or position of kneeling.

kneel

/ niːl /

verb

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

noun

1. the act or position of kneeling

Other Word Forms

• kneelingly adverb
• unkneeling adjective
• kneeler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of kneel¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of kneel¹

Old English cnēowlian; see _knee

Example Sentences

It took several officers to get Hodgson to kneel on the ground.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright knelt in memory of the late Laney football coach John Beam after an interception Sunday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I kneel and extend my hand, just as Mrs. Choi does whenever she tells some poor kid that they need a better skin-care regimen.

Read more on Literature

Still cradling the squirming cat, she knelt before the children and gazed at each face in turn.

Read more on Literature

Penelope gave a gentle downward tug on the TOT, and the bird knelt low enough for her to climb aboard.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• bow