I. ˈkīt noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English cȳta; akin to Middle High German kūze owl
Date: before 12th century
1. : any of various usually small hawks (family Accipitridae) with long narrow wings and often a notched or forked tail
2. : a person who preys on others
3. : a light frame covered with paper, cloth, or plastic, often provided with a stabilizing tail, and designed to be flown in the air at the end of a long string
4. : a check drawn against uncollected funds in a bank account or fraudulently raised before cashing
5. : a light sail used in a light breeze usually in addition to the regular working sails ; especially : spinnaker
• kite·like adjective
II. verb
( kit·ed ; kit·ing )
Date: 1839
transitive verb
1. : to use (a bad check) to get credit or money
2. : to cause to soar
kited the prices they charged wealthy clients
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to go in a rapid, carefree, or flighty manner
b. : to rise rapidly : soar
the prices of necessities continue to kite
2. : to get money or credit by a kite
• kit·er noun