From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
kneel
n : supporting yourself on your knees [syn: kneeling]
v : rest one's weight on one's knees; "In church you have to
kneel during parts of the service"
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Kneel \Kneel\ (n[=e]l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Knelt (n[e^]lt) or
Kneeled (n[=e]ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Kneeling.] [OE.
knelen, cneolien; akin to D. knielen, Dan. kn[ae]le. See
Knee.]
To bend the knee; to fall or rest on the knees; -- sometimes
with down.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The act of kneeling, when performed in front of a
person, is often done as a sign of respect, humility,
or supplication. It has a similar significance when
performed in front of religious objects, such as an
altar or shrine.
[PJC]
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice,
Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. --Acts
vii. 60.
[1913 Webster]
As soon as you are dressed, kneel and say the
Lord's Prayer. --Jer. Taylor.
[1913 Webster]