name, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   The caul. obsolete
2. 2
   A kiln.

   "Kell-drying"

3. 3
   Alternative spelling of kale (“broth”). alt-of, alternative, uncountable
4. 4
   That which covers or envelops, like a caul; a net; a fold; a film. figuratively, obsolete

   "I'll have him cut to the kell."

5. 5
   The cocoon or chrysalis of an insect. obsolete

   "Bury himself in every silkworm's kell"

Proper Noun

1. 1
   A surname.
2. 2
   A female given name, clipping of Kelly.

Example

More examples

"Bury himself in every silkworm's kell"

Etymology

Compare caul.

Related phrases

Kell factor

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.