kite
a light frame covered with some thin material, to be flown in the wind at the end of a long string.
any of several small birds of the hawk family Accipitridae that have long, pointed wings, feed on insects, carrion, reptiles, rodents, and birds, and are noted for their graceful, gliding flight.: Compare black kite, swallow-tailed kite, white-tailed kite.
Nautical. flying kite.
Finance.
a check drawn against uncollected or insufficient funds, as for redepositing, with the intention of creating a false balance in the account by taking advantage of the time lapse required for collection.
a check whose amount has been raised by forgery before cashing.
a person who preys on others; sharper.
Informal. to fly or move with a rapid or easy motion like that of a kite.
to obtain money or credit through kites.
to employ (a check or the like) as a kite; to cash or pass (a kite, forged check, etc.).
Origin of kite
1Other words from kite
- kiter, noun
- kitelike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use kite in a sentence
In the end, Mush kept its name, and Kites kept its name for certain events.
Nancy Brinker: A Socialite, a Scandal, and a Mysterious Expense Report | Abigail Pesta, Aram Roston | February 13, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTMost of the golf carts had been tied down, all of their roofs removed, in case the wind caught hold and flew them like kites.
He could not remember a time a before voicewires and metal kites.
The Extinction Parade: An Original Zombie Story by Max Brooks | Max Brooks | January 14, 2011 | THE DAILY BEASTThe kites soared, and the boats rushed swiftly over the calm and glittering sea.
The Giant of the North | R.M. BallantyneLong after the boats had disappeared, the kites could still be seen among the gorgeous clouds.
The Giant of the North | R.M. Ballantyne
Over in the field a flock of crows and kites were wheeling,—some carrion,—but Mary did not go near.
God Wills It! | William Stearns DavisAll light kites were set, and 'Satanita' led the race on a reach to the Skerries buoy, at which mark 'Navahoe' was whipper-in.
Yachting Vol. 2 | Various.Vultures and kites are common enough; and Haji Laqlaq the stork comes in regularly from his pilgrimage to Mecca in the spring.
The Cradle of Mankind | W.A. Wigram
British Dictionary definitions for kite (1 of 2)
/ (kaɪt) /
a light frame covered with a thin material flown in the wind at the end of a length of string
British slang an aeroplane
(plural) nautical any of various light sails set in addition to the working sails of a vessel
any diurnal bird of prey of the genera Milvus, Elanus, etc, typically having a long forked tail and long broad wings and usually preying on small mammals and insects: family Accipitridae (hawks, etc)
archaic a person who preys on others
commerce a negotiable paper drawn without any actual transaction or assets and designed to obtain money on credit, give an impression of affluence, etc
fly a kite See fly 1 (def. 14)
high as a kite See high (def. 30)
to issue (fictitious papers) to obtain credit or money
(tr) US and Canadian to write (a cheque) in anticipation of sufficient funds to cover it
(intr) to soar and glide
Origin of kite
1Derived forms of kite
- kiter, noun
British Dictionary definitions for kite (2 of 2)
/ (kəɪt) /
a variant spelling of kyte
Collins 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 kite
see go fly a kite; high as a kite.
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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