BharatNotes Knell
noun; verb (intransitive and transitive)Usage in a UPSC answer
The Supreme Court's verdict striking down the discriminatory provision sounded the death knell of an antiquated legal order, signalling that constitutional morality, not majoritarian sentiment, must anchor the Republic's governance.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
knell (v), knelled (v past), knelling (v pres.p), death knell (n compound)
Root
Old English cnyll = sound of a bell; verb cnyllan = to toll a bell, knock; probably imitative
Etymology
From Old English cnyll "sound of a bell," from the verb cnyllan "to toll a bell, strike, knock"; cognate with Middle High German erknellen "to resound" — probably imitative in origin. The initial "k" is silent.
Memory Hook
Sounds like "knell" rhyming with "bell" — picture a funeral BELL whose slow toll KNELLs the end; the silent k- is "dead", just like what it mourns.
How This Word Works in UPSC Writing
The slow tolling of a bell for a death, and figuratively a sign that something has ended. The phrase that carries it into GS1 and Essay is death knell, marking the point at which an institution or practice became untenable. It is a strong image, so it should be reserved for genuine endings rather than setbacks.
Don’t Confuse It With
A knell is a slow funeral bell, or the sign of an ending. A peal is a joyful ringing. A harbinger announces something coming, which may be good or bad. A watershed marks a turning point without implying that anything ended.
Hindi Meaning
मृत्यु घंटा (mrityu ghantā); the phrase मौत का घंटा carries the figurative sense.
Common Questions
- What does knell mean?
- The slow solemn tolling of a bell for a death, and figuratively a sign marking the end of something.
- What does death knell mean?
- A sign or event that marks the definitive end of something, such as a practice, institution or policy.
Tip: press Alt+S to hear pronunciation
