- Knee
- Knee Knee (n[=e]), n. [OE. kne, cneo, As. cne['o], cne['o]w;
akin to OS. knio, kneo, OFries. kn[=i], G. & D. knie, OHG.
chniu, chneo, Icel. kn[=e], Sw. kn["a], Dan. kn[ae], Goth.
kniu, L. genu, Gr. go`ny, Skr. j[=a]nu, [root]231. Cf.
{Genuflection}.]
1. In man, the joint in the middle part of the leg.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Anat.) (a) The joint, or region of the joint, between the thigh and leg. (b) In the horse and allied animals, the carpal joint, corresponding to the wrist in man. [1913 Webster]
3. (Mech. & Shipbuilding) A piece of timber or metal formed with an angle somewhat in the shape of the human knee when bent. [1913 Webster]
4. A bending of the knee, as in respect or courtesy. [1913 Webster]
Give them title, knee, and approbation. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
{Knee breeches}. See under {Breeches}.
{Knee holly}, {Knee holm} (Bot.), butcher's broom.
{Knee joint}. See in the Vocabulary.
{Knee timber}, timber with knees or angles in it.
{Knee tribute}, or {Knee worship}, tribute paid by kneeling; worship by genuflection. [Obs.] ``Knee tribute yet unpaid.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.