verb
fell
FEL/fˈɛl/
To cause something or someone to fall by cutting or striking.
The crew fells the damaged tree away from the road.
Etymology
Fællan expresses causing a fall, rather than simply falling. Cutting down a tree and knocking someone down share that same core action: making something or someone fall.
In context
Imbrius fell headlong as an ash- tree when it is felled
More examples
- A single blow felled the boxer.
- Several old trees had been felled during the storm.
- Workers are felling only the diseased trees.
Forms
fell · fells · felled · felling
Similar words
- knock down
- Does not necessarily imply cutting or a single forceful blow.
- cut down
- Specifies cutting, whereas fell can involve a forceful blow.