Dictionary

kneeler en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (US) audio

Etymology

From Middle English knelere, equivalent to kneel + -er.

Meanings

1. A person who kneels.
   • All the kneelers sighed with relief when they were told it was over and they could finally stand up.
2. A hassock.
   • The benches are scuffed Victorian, and lying on them are sets of kneelers embroidered by parishioners. 1980, AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd, page 207:
   • The parish deacon was always pushing to get new kneelers for the church, probably because he was old and his knees were sensitive.
   • He bowed his head and began to say a prayer, but interrupted himself — touching his lover's beard, then his hands for the last time. His crying was now audible as the undertaker helped him from the kneeler and back to his seat. 1986, Craig G. Harris, “Cut Off from Among Their People”, in Joseph Beam, editor, In The Life: A Black Gay Anthology, page 66:
3. An apparatus that permits the loading door of a bus to decrease in height in order to facilitate boarding of passengers that are seniors and physically disadvantaged
4. On a gable end, the stone (often decorated) at the base of the slope of the gable on either side.

Forms

Relateds

kneeling chair

Synonyms

kneestone

Translations (9)

de Kniebank (hassock) · fi polvistuja (person) · hu térdelő (person) · hu térdeplő (person) · fi polvistumispenkki (hassock) · hu imazsámoly (hassock) · hu térdepelő (person) · hu térdeplő (hassock) · cs klečící (person)