[death knell]
{n.}, {formal} 1. The ringing of a bell at a death or funeral.
The people
mourned at the death knell of their friend.
2. {literary} Something which shows
a future failure.
Bill's poor grade on his final examination sounded the death
knell of his hope to be a doctor.
His sudden deafness was the death knell of
his hope to become President.
|