knee
Anatomy. the joint of the leg that allows for movement between the femur and tibia and is protected by the patella; the central area of the leg between the thigh and the lower leg.
Zoology. the corresponding joint or region in the hind leg of a quadruped; stifle.
a joint or region likened to this but not anatomically homologous with it, as the tarsal joint of a bird, the carpal joint in the forelimb of the horse or cow, etc.
the part of a garment covering the knee.
something resembling a bent knee, especially a rigid or braced angle between two framing members.
Building Trades.
the junction of the top and either of the uprights of a bent.
a curved member for reinforcing the junction of two pieces meeting at an angle.
Also called kneeler. a stone cut to follow a sharp return angle.
to strike or touch with the knee.
to secure (a structure, as a bent) with a knee.
Obsolete. to go down on the knees; kneel.
Idioms about knee
bring someone to his / her knees, to force someone into submission or compliance.
cut (someone) off at the knees, to squelch or humiliate (a person) suddenly and thoroughly: The speaker cut the heckler off at the knees.
on one's / its knees,
in a supplicatory position or manner: I came to him on my knees for the money.
in a desperate or declining condition: The country's economy is on its knees.
take a knee, to kneel on one knee, usually with the opposite leg also bent at a 90-degree angle and placed forward with the foot on the ground, as in sports or as a posture in protests and demonstrations: Our soccer team would take a knee if a player on either team was injured.Organizers are coordinating so the crowds at every state capitol will take a knee in protest of racial injustice simultaneously, across time zones.
Origin of knee
1Words Nearby knee
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use knee in a sentence
Instead, the team took MRI scans of patients’ knees and simulated the process of what a faster imaging process would have created by stripping some of the raw data out, and then used AI to knit that data into a complete picture.
Artificial intelligence creates better, faster MRI scans | Rob Verger | September 4, 2020 | Popular-ScienceFor coach Brad Stevens, the answer should be found by turning him loose in a simple sequence that has brought opponents to their knees all season.
Give Boston’s Kemba Walker A Double Pick And Watch Him Work | Michael Pina | August 31, 2020 | FiveThirtyEight“Again, not outrageous miniskirts—you know, like a couple of inches above her knees, not crazy,” Roberts says.
How Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ achieves its look—even as each season evolves | radmarya | August 29, 2020 | FortuneThe proverbial knee, of course, is the one that remained on George Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.
Its height extends from a batter’s knees to the middle of his chest.
A robot referee can really keep its ‘eye’ on the ball | Kathryn Hulick | August 20, 2020 | Science News For Students
Do you think of power suits for men and knee-covering skirts for women?
Glenn Beck Is Now Selling Hipster Clothes. Really. | Ana Marie Cox | December 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt is not a knee-jerk response to a sudden perceived threat.
This whole thing about a black-and-white culture of knee-jerk reactions is reinforced by television.
James Patterson Goes Full ‘Fahrenheit 451’ With Burning Book Video | William O’Connor | November 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe started Spinal Solutions in 1999 and launched a firm selling knee and hip implants three years later.
Patients Screwed in Spine Surgery ‘Scam’ | The Center for Investigative Reporting | November 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAt 15, she developed iliotibial band syndrome, injuring her knee, and had to surrender her dream.
The Making of Kiesza: From Navy Sharpshooter to Beauty Queen to Pop Diva | Marlow Stern | October 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThat his friend had withdrawn, was a pledge of his pacific wishes; and, with a lightened countenance, Louis rose from his knee.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterTo drop on one knee and level his piece was the work of an instant, but unfortunately he snapped a dry twig in doing so.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. BallantyneHer left knee was supported on pillows, and the bed-clothes were raised away from it, for it could tolerate no weight whatever.
Hilda Lessways | Arnold BennettWith a low moan her head sunk upon the old man's knee, and she shook and trembled with violent emotion.
The World Before Them | Susanna MoodieAs the expression, "every knee shall bow to me," cannot be confined to that alone, so neither can that which immediately follows.
The Ordinance of Covenanting | John Cunningham
British Dictionary definitions for knee
/ (niː) /
the joint of the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella: Technical name: genu Related adjective: genicular
the area surrounding and above this joint
(modifier) reaching or covering the knee: knee breeches; knee socks
a corresponding or similar part in other vertebrates
the part of a garment that covers the knee
the upper surface of a seated person's thigh: the child sat on her mother's knee
anything resembling a knee in action, such as a device pivoted to allow one member angular movement in relation to another
anything resembling a knee in shape, such as an angular bend in a pipe
any of the hollow rounded protuberances that project upwards from the roots of the swamp cypress: thought to aid respiration in waterlogged soil
bend the knee or bow the knee to kneel or submit
bring someone to his knees to force someone into submission
bring something to its knees to cause something to be in a weakened or impoverished state
(tr) to strike, nudge, or push with the knee
Origin of knee
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with knee
In addition to the idiom beginning with knee
, also see
- bring to one's knees
- on bended knee
.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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