Knoll: meaning, definitions and examples

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knoll

 

[ noʊl ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

landscape architecture

A small hill or mound of earth, especially one used as a burial site.

Synonyms

hillock, mound, rise.

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Word Description / Examples
knoll

A small, rounded hill typically found in rural or countryside areas. Often used in literature and poetry to evoke a peaceful or idyllic landscape.

  • They sat on a grassy knoll and watched the sunset.
  • From the top of the knoll, one could see the entire valley below.
mound

An artificial hill or pile of earth, sometimes used to describe burial grounds or constructed features. Can also refer to natural formations. The term might have a neutral or formal tone.

  • They built a mound for the ceremony.
  • The ants created a large mound next to the tree.
hillock

A very small hill, often used to describe minor elevations in a landscape. Suitable for everyday conversation or descriptive writing.

  • The children rolled down the hillock in the park.
  • An old tree stood alone on the small hillock.
rise

A gentle slope or elevation in the landscape. Often used to describe a gradual increase in height. Suitable for both casual and formal descriptions.

  • The trail continued up a gradual rise before flattening out.
  • From the top of the rise, they could see the approaching storm.

Examples of usage

  • The cemetery was full of knolls where the deceased were laid to rest.
  • The knoll offered a peaceful and serene spot for reflection.
Context #2 | Noun

geography

A small natural hill.

Synonyms

elevation, eminence, hill.

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Word Description / Examples
knoll

A small, rounded hill, often found in the countryside. It is typically less steep and less prominent than a hill or eminence.

  • We could see the entire valley from the small knoll.
  • The deer grazed peacefully on the grassy knoll.
hill

A naturally raised area of land, generally larger and steeper than a knoll but smaller than a mountain. Commonly used in everyday language.

  • We hiked up the hill to watch the sunset.
  • The village is nestled between rolling hills.
eminence

A raised area of land that stands out significantly from its surroundings. Often implies prominence and importance, sometimes used metaphorically to describe a person's high status.

  • The ancient castle was built on a natural eminence overlooking the town.
  • His eminence in the scientific community is well-recognized.
elevation

A general term for any raised area of land, regardless of size. Often used in technical or scientific contexts, such as geography or urban planning.

  • The city is situated at a higher elevation than any other in the region.
  • The elevation of the land affects the weather patterns.

Examples of usage

  • The knoll overlooked the entire valley.
  • The house was situated on a gentle knoll.

Translations

Translations of the word "knoll" in other languages:

🇵🇹 colina

🇮🇳 टीला

🇩🇪 Hügel

🇮🇩 bukit

🇺🇦 пагорб

🇵🇱 wzgórze

🇯🇵 丘 (おか)

🇫🇷 colline

🇪🇸 colina

🇹🇷 tepe

🇰🇷 언덕

🇸🇦 تل

🇨🇿 kopce

🇸🇰 kopček

🇨🇳 小山 (xiǎoshān)

🇸🇮 hrib

🇮🇸 hóll

🇰🇿 дөң

🇬🇪 გორაკი

🇦🇿 təpə

🇲🇽 colina

Etymology

The word 'knoll' originated from Middle English 'knol', meaning a small hill or mound. It is related to the Old English 'cnoll', which has the same meaning. Over time, the word has retained its core definition of a small hill, often used in landscapes and burials.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,575, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.