I. ˈnē noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English kne, knee, from Old English cnēow, cnēo; akin to Old High German kneo knee, Old Norse knē, Gothic kniu, Latin genu, Greek gony, Sanskrit jānu
1.
a.
(1) : a joint of the ginglymus type in the middle part of the human leg that is the articulation between the femur, tibia, and patella
(2) : the part of the leg that includes this joint
scrubbing the floor on hands and knees
b. : the corresponding joint in the hind limb of a quadrupedal vertebrate formed by the femur above and the tibia or tibia and fibula below
2.
a. : a bending of the knee (as in respect or courtesy)
a man of parts well able to make a good knee
b. : a blow with the bent knee — used with the
got the knee in the face as he tried to get up
3. : something felt to resemble the human knee especially in its angular bent form: as
a.
(1) : a crook in a tree branch
(2) : a piece of timber naturally or artificially bent for use in supporting structures coming together at an angle (as the framing and deck beams of a ship)
(3) : a piece of metal of similar form and corresponding function
b. archaic : an angular joint in a grass
c. : a rounded or somewhat conical process arising from the roots of a few swamp-growing trees (as the bald cypress and tupelo gum) and projecting above the surrounding water — compare buttress root
d. : the part of cabriole furniture leg that curves outward immediately below the junction of leg and frame
e. : a vertical curve in a stair handrail that is convex on top — compare ramp
f. : the part of the head block of a sawmill that is attached to the dogs holding a log
g. : the part of a composing stick which is attached and at right angles to the back rim and with which the measure is set
h. : an abrupt change in direction in a curve (as on a graph) ; especially : one approaching a right angle in shape
4. : any of several bodily parts that are structurally or functionally comparable to the human knee: as
a. : the carpal joint of the forelimb of a quadrupedal vertebrate corresponding to the wrist in man — see horse illustration
b.
(1) : the tarsal joint of a bird corresponding to the ankle of man
(2) : the corresponding joint of a quadrupedal mammal — not used technically
c. : the joint between the femur and tibia of an insect
5. : the part of a garment that covers the knee
•
- on one's knees
- on the knees of the gods
- over in the knees
- to one's knees
II. verb
( kneed ; kneed ; kneeing ; knees )
Etymology: Middle English knewen, from Old English cnēowian, from cnēow, cnēo knee
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to bend the knee : bow low : kneel
2. : to bend like a knee — often used with over
heavy-headed grain may lodge or knee over
transitive verb
1. archaic : to bend the knee to in supplication or deference
2. : to go over or traverse on the knees
painfully kneeing his way up the stairs
3.
a. : to strike or touch with the knee
kneed his opponent repeatedly
b. : to move or cause to move with the knee
kneed the door open
c. : to press the flanks of (a saddle horse) with the knees in alerting or encouraging
4. : to repair or replace the knee of (as a garment)
5. : to cut the knee of so as to disable
knee a steer
6. : to secure by a knee
transoms must be kneed to the horn timber — Edwin Monk