knell

• Substantif désignant le son d'une cloche, en particulier celui d'un glas funèbre ou solennel ; souvent utilisé au sens figuré pour évoquer la fin ou l'échec de quelque chose.

A noun referring to the sound of a bell, especially one rung solemnly for a death or funeral; often used figuratively to indicate the end or failure of something.

1. C1formal

   The sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral.

   son de cloche funèbre

   • The knell of the church bell echoed through the village.
   • They heard the mournful knell announcing the funeral.
   • The knell tolled slowly, marking the end of an era.

   Synonymeschimepealringringingtoll

2. Omen of death or endC2formal

   A sign or event that marks the end or destruction of something.

   glas (au sens figuré)

   • The company's bankruptcy sounded the knell of its long history.
   • The defeat was the knell of their championship hopes.
   • The knell of the old regime was heard in the streets.

   Synonymesforebodingharbingeromenportentpresage

• Verbe désuet signifiant sonner une cloche, en particulier un glas funèbre, ou annoncer une mort ou une catastrophe.

An archaic verb meaning to ring or sound a bell, especially a funeral bell, or to signal a death or disaster.

1. To ring a bell solemnlyC2formalbritish

   To sound a bell, especially a funeral bell, in a slow, solemn manner.

   sonner le glas

   • The church bells knelled for the fallen soldiers.
   • The bell knelled mournfully throughout the village.
   • They knelled the bell to mark the end of the ceremony.

   Synonymespealringsoundtoll

2. To signal the end of somethingC2formalbritish

   To indicate or announce the death, failure, or end of something.

   sonner le glas

   • The economic crisis knelled the end of the old regime.
   • His resignation knelled the collapse of the company.
   • The final whistle knelled the defeat of the team.

   Synonymesannounceheraldproclaimsignaltoll