Haliastur Indus

Kite Kite (k[imac]t), n. [OE. kyte, AS. c[=y]ta; cf. W. cud, cut.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Zo["o]l.) Any raptorial bird of the subfamily {Milvin[ae]}, of which many species are known. They have long wings, adapted for soaring, and usually a forked tail. [1913 Webster]

Note: The European species are {Milvus ictinus} and {Milvus migrans}; the pariah kite of India is {Milvus govinda}; the sacred or Brahmany kite of India is {Haliastur Indus}; the American fork-tailed kite is the {Nauclerus furcatus}. [1913 Webster]

2. Fig.: One who is rapacious. [1913 Webster]

Detested kite, thou liest. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. A light frame of wood or other material covered with paper or cloth, for flying in the air at the end of a string. [1913 Webster]

4. (Naut.) A lofty sail, carried only when the wind is light. [1913 Webster]

5. (Geom.) A quadrilateral, one of whose diagonals is an axis of symmetry. --Henrici. [1913 Webster]

6. Fictitious commercial paper used for raising money or to sustain credit, as a check which represents no deposit in bank, or a bill of exchange not sanctioned by sale of goods; an accommodation check or bill. [Cant] [1913 Webster]

7. (Zo["o]l.) The brill. [Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster]

8. (Naut.) A form of drag to be towed under water at any depth up to about forty fathoms, which on striking bottom is upset and rises to the surface; -- called also {sentry}. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

{Flying kites}. (Naut.) See under {Flying}.

{Kite falcon} (Zo["o]l.), an African falcon of the genus {Avicida}, having some resemblance to a kite. [1913 Webster]