Found 2 items, similar to death knell.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: death knell death knell n 1: an omen of death or destruction 2: a bell rung to announce a death [syn: death bell]
English → English (gcide) Definition: death knell Knell \Knell\, n. [OE. knel, cnul, AS. cnyll, fr. cnyllan to sound a bell; cf. D. & G. knallen to clap, crack, G. & Sw. knall a clap, crack, loud sound, Dan. knalde to clap, crack. Cf. Knoll, n. & v.] The stroke of a bell tolled at a funeral or at the death of a person; a death signal; a passing bell; hence, (figuratively), a warning or harbinger of, or a sound indicating, the passing away of anything; -- also called death knell. [1913 Webster +PJC] The dead man's knell Is there scarce asked for who. --Shak. [1913 Webster] The curfew tolls the knell of parting day. --Gray. [1913 Webster] death knell \death" knell`\, n. 1. A stroke or tolling of a bell, announcing a death; a knell[1]. [1913 Webster] 2. Hence: (figuratively) A sign or harbinger of the end, death, or passing away of anything. [PJC]