kneecap

[ nee-kap ]

noun

1. the patella.
2. a protective covering, usually knitted, for the knee.

verb (used with object)

, knee·capped, knee·cap·ping.

1. to cripple (a person) by shooting in the knee:

   Terrorists were kneecapping prospective jurors.

kneecap

/ ˈniːˌkæp /

noun

1. See patella
   anatomy a nontechnical name for patella
2. See poleyn
   another word for poleyn

verb

1. (esp of certain terrorist groups) to shoot (a person) in the kneecap, esp as an act of retaliation

kneecap

/ nē′kăp′ /

1. See patella

Other Words From

• kneecapper noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of kneecap¹

First recorded in 1650–60; knee + cap ¹

Example Sentences

This kneecaps their ability to rapidly respond to natural disasters on islands and other remote locations that need quick help, especially after emergencies.

From Singularity Hub 

While respiratory infections rarely leave marks, the boy’s kneecaps had fused to the thighbones above them.

From Science News

My muddy shoe slipped, and I banged my kneecap on a fence rail, clinging for dear life.

From The Daily Beast

At the same time, Tea Partyers are fending off Republican attempts to “kneecap” the movement as a whole, says Carender.

From The Daily Beast

You cannot kneecap a statistic, though you can sometimes make it limp.

From The Daily Beast

Gillibrand exclaims, punctuating her eruption with a brisk swat to my kneecap.

From The Daily Beast

The trappers entertain a superstitious notion, which leads them to remove a kneecap from each beaver and throw it into the fire.

From Project Gutenberg

But he did not catch her; he stubbed his toe and fell, arising with a bruised kneecap which prevented further pursuit.

From Project Gutenberg

In aiming kneeling, the left elbow rests on the left knee, point of elbow in front of kneecap.

From Project Gutenberg

As well as I could make out, the kneecap seemed turned up on edge in the midst of the swelling.

From Project Gutenberg

From the ankle up over the shin, almost to the kneecap, was a long red sore, yellowish in the centre.

From Project Gutenberg