soul knell

plural soul knells · alternative soule knell

1. obsoleteSynonym of passing bell.

   The rich Churle enlarging his Barnes proportionably to his deſires, had his Night ; hee heard that ſoule-knell , Thou foole, this Night ſhall they fetch away thy ſoule.

   1614, Thomas Adams, The Gallants Burden, London: […] T. S. for Clement Knight, page 40

   2 more examples

   The firſt dead 19. hours, or there about The ſoul knell-towld, then paſſing-peal rang out, All things appointed to convey him thence, His ſoul return's and gives his body ſence;

   1678, An Alarm to Judgement, or An aſſay to rouſe up all, of all ſorts, (before it be too late) to prepare to meet the Bridegroom, page 216

   And the Wolf going down met the Fox half way; Reynard, " glad and blithe " that the Wolf was a true penitent and in clean living, promised to have his soul-knell rung and masses said for him.

   1912, W. P. Ker, “Comic Poetry” (chapter VI), in English Literature; Medieval, London: Williams and Norgate, page 170

   Synonyms: passing bell