Kneeled

Kneeled is the past tense and past participle of the verb kneel. Kneeling refers to bending the body so that one or both knees touch or are close to the ground, typically as a sign of reverence, prayer, submission, or rest during activity.

Both kneeled and knelt are accepted past tense forms of kneel. Kneeled is more common in American English, while knelt is frequently used in British English and in more formal or traditional contexts. Examples: He kneeled before the altar; She knelt by the bed.

Etymology and note: The verb kneel derives from Old English and is related to the noun knee. The form knelt has a longer historical presence, whereas kneeled has become widely used in modern American English; many writers use them interchangeably for the past tense and past participle.

Usage considerations: In contemporary writing, either form is generally understood. Some style guides prefer consistency within a document, or slightly favor knelt for the simple past and kneeled for the past participle, but practices vary by region and publication.