n. (pl. -eys) 1 either of a pair of organs in the abdominal cavity of mammals, birds, and reptiles, which remove nitrogenous wastes from the blood and excrete urine. 2 the kidney of a sheep, ox, or pig as food. 3 temperament, nature, kind (a man of that kidney; of the right kidney). kidney bean 1 a dwarf French bean. 2 a scarlet runner bean. kidney dish a kidney-shaped dish, esp. one used in surgery. kidney machine = artificial kidney. kidney-shaped shaped like a kidney, with one side concave and the other convex. kidney vetch a herbaceous plant, Anthyllis vulneraria: also called lady's finger.
[ ME kidnei, pl. kidneiren, app. partly f. ei EGG(1) ]