kneel
/niːl/
verb
Origin
Old English
cnēow — knee
Overview
Meaning Now
- To be in or assume a position in which the body is supported by one or both knees.
- To rest or fall into a kneeling posture as an act of worship, submission, or supplication.
Literal older meaning
to rest on the knee
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
cnēowlian
Earliest period
Old English
Journey
The act of kneeling has long served as a sign of respect, subservience, or spiritual devotion across many cultures. Historically, it was a common gesture of vassalage to a lord, as well as a primary posture for Christian prayer.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*ǵnéh₃u-
“knee”
- Old English
cnēowlian
“to kneel”
Derivative of cnēow (knee)
- Middle English
knelen
“to kneel”
Standardization of spelling
- Modern English
kneel
“to kneel”
Connections
Word parts
knee
root
knee joint
-l
suffix
frequentative or verb-forming suffix
Related across languages
German
knien
to kneel
Dutch
knielen
to kneel
Related words
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Related to kneel
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.