kidney

kid·ney

noun \ˈkid-nē\

plural kidneys

Definition of KIDNEY

1

a : one of a pair of vertebrate organs situated in the body cavity near the spinal column that excrete waste products of metabolism, in humans are bean-shaped organs about 4¹⁄₂ inches (11¹⁄₂ centimeters) long lying behind the peritoneum in a mass of fatty tissue, and consist chiefly of nephrons by which urine is secreted, collected, and discharged into a main cavity whence it is conveyed by the ureter to the bladder b : any of various excretory organs of invertebrate animals

2

: the kidney of an animal eaten as food

3

: sort or kind especially with regard to temperament <a nice helpful guy, of a different kidney entirely from the … Secret Police — Paula Lecler>

Examples of KIDNEY

1. a patient with a damaged kidney
2. <her new boyfriend is of a different kidney than what she usually dates>

Origin of KIDNEY

Middle English

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to KIDNEY

Synonyms: breed, class, description, feather, genre, ilk, sort, kind, like, manner, nature, order, species, strain, stripe, type, variety

Related Words: model; sample, specimen; bracket, bunch, category, division, family, grade, group, grouping, lot, persuasion, rank(s), set, suite

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Rhymes with KIDNEY

Sidney, Sydney