knee

¹knee

noun, often attributive \ˈnē\

Definition of KNEE

1

a : a joint in the middle part of the human leg that is the articulation between the femur, tibia, and patella; also : the part of the leg that includes this joint b (1) : the joint in the hind leg of a four-footed vertebrate that corresponds to the human knee (2) : the carpal joint of the foreleg of a four-footed vertebrate c : the tarsal joint of a bird d : the joint between the femur and tibia of an insect

2

: something resembling the human knee: as a : a piece of timber naturally or artificially bent for use in supporting structures coming together at an angle (as the deck beams of a ship) b : a rounded or conical process rising from the roots of various swamp-growing trees <cypress knee>

3

: the part of a garment covering the knee

4

: a blow with the bent knee

— kneed \ˈnēd\ adjective

— to one's knees

: into a state of submission or defeat

Examples of KNEE

1. I fell down and hurt my knee.
2. She suffered a serious knee injury.
3. His knees trembled with fear.
4. He got down on one knee and proposed to her.
5. His little granddaughter sat on his knee.
6. Her jeans had holes at the knees.

Origin of KNEE

Middle English, from Old English cnēow; akin to Old High German kneo knee, Latin genu, Greek gony

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with KNEE

b, be, bee, c, cay, cee, Cree, d, dee, Dee, dree, e, fee, flea, flee, free, g, gee, ghee, glee, gree, he, key, Key, lea, lee, me, mi, p, pea, pee, plea, pree, quay, re, Rhee, scree, sea, see, she, si, ski, spree, sri, t, tea, tee, the, thee, three, ti, tree, twee, Twi, v, vee, we, wee, whee, ye, z, zee