fell
To make something fall; especially a tree.
Verb 3 meanings
To make something fall; especially a tree.
To strike down, kill, destroy.
To stitch down a protruding flap of fabric, as a seam allowance, or pleat.
Noun 4 meanings
A cutting-down of timber.
The stitching down of a fold of cloth; specifically, the portion of a kilt, from the waist to the seat, where the pleats are stitched down.
The end of a web, formed by the last thread of the weft.
A covering of hair, wool, etc., especially when matted or thick; a fleece; also (chiefly in fell of hair), a thick head or mass of hair.
Adjective 1 meaning
Of a strong and cruel nature; eager and unsparing; grim; fierce; ruthless; savage.
“one fell swoop”
Adverb 1 meaning
Sharply; fiercely.
Etymology
From Middle English fellen, from Old English fellan, fiellan (“to cause to fall, strike down, fell, cut down, throw down, defeat, destroy, kill, tumble, cause to stumble”), from Proto-West Germanic *fallijan, from Proto-Germanic *fallijaną (“to fell, to cause to fall”), causative of Proto-Germanic *fallaną (“to fall”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂peh₃lH-.
Similar and opposite words
FELL at a glance
FELL has 4 letters and scores 7 points in Scrabble (F 4 + E 1 + L 1 + L 1) and 9 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #1,441 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with fell
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