kneel

Meaning

To rest on one's bent knees, sometimes only one; to move to such a position.
To sink down so that the entrance is level with the pavement, making it easier for passengers to enter.
To cause to kneel.
To rest on (one's) knees

kneel down

go down on one’s knee

squat

fall on one’s knees

knee

bring to knees

bow to ground

go down on one’s knees

Frequency

Pronounced as (IPA)

/niːl/

From Middle English knelen, knewlen, from Old English cnēowlian (“to kneel”), equivalent to knee + -le. Cognate with Dutch knielen, Low German knelen, dialectal German knielen, Alemannic German chnüle, Danish knæle, all meaning “to kneel”.