soul knell

English

Alternative forms

• soule knell

Noun

soul knell (plural soul knells)

1. (obsolete) Synonym of passing bell.
   • 1614, Thomas Adams, The Gallants Burden, London:  […] T. S. for Clement Knight, page 40:

     The rich Churle enlarging his Barnes proportionably to his deſires, had his Night ; hee heard that ſoule-knell , Thou foole, this Night ſhall they fetch away thy ſoule.

   • 1678, An Alarm to Judgement, or An aſſay to rouſe up all, of all ſorts, (before it be too late) to prepare to meet the Bridegroom, page 216:

     The firſt dead 19. hours, or there about
     The ſoul knell-towld, then paſſing-peal rang out,
     All things appointed to convey him thence,
     His ſoul return's and gives his body ſence;

   • 1912, W. P. Ker, “Comic Poetry” (chapter VI), in English Literature; Medieval, London: Williams and Norgate, page 170:

     And the Wolf going down met the Fox half way; Reynard, " glad and blithe " that the Wolf was a true penitent and in clean living, promised to have his soul-knell rung and masses said for him.