knee

[ nee ]

/ ni /

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noun

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.

Also called hip, shoulder. Furniture. the inward curve toward the top of a cabriole leg.

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.

verb (used with object), kneed, knee·ing.

to strike or touch with the knee.

to secure (a structure, as a bent) with a knee.

verb (used without object), kneed, knee·ing.

Obsolete. to go down on the knees; kneel.

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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

First recorded before 900; Middle English kne, cne, knei, cneo, Old English cnēo(w); cognate with German Knie, Dutch knie, Old Norse knē, Gothic kniu, Latin genu, Greek góny, Sanskrit jānu, Hittite genu, all meaning “knee”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use knee in a sentence

And yes, someone has already called Spencer a “Small Fry,” har har.
Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic|Samantha Allen|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
France 24 is providing live, round-the-clock coverage of both scenes as they progress.
LIVE Coverage of the Paris Terror Attacks||January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
For someone with anorexia, self-starvation makes them feel better.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Someone is determined to keep Bill Cosby off TV,” she continued.
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Binge eating and purging does the same for someone with bulimia.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If the "Y" Beach lot press their advantage they may cut off the enemy troops on the toe of the Peninsula.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
Sleek finds it far harder work than fortune-making; but he pursues his Will-o'-the-Wisp with untiring energy.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Ollie saw someone standing before it, bending slightly forward in the pose of expectation.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
At the sight, Felipe flung himself on his knees before her; he kissed the aged hands as they lay trembling in her lap.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
A far-off volley rumbled over the plain, and a few birds stirred uneasily among the trees.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy

British Dictionary definitions for knee

knee

/ (niː) /

noun

the joint of the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patellaTechnical name: genu Related adjective: genicular

the area surrounding and above this joint
(modifier) reaching or covering the kneeknee 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 thighthe 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

verb knees, kneeing or kneed

(tr) to strike, nudge, or push with the knee

Word Origin for knee

Old English cnēow; compare Old High German kneo, Old Norse knē, Latin genu

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 knee

knee

In addition to the idiom beginning with knee

, also see

bring to one's knees
on bended knee

knee

Idioms about knee

Origin of knee

Words related to knee

How to use knee in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for knee

Word Origin for knee

Other Idioms and Phrases with knee