kite

[kahyt]

noun

1. a light frame covered with some thin material, to be flown in the wind at the end of a long string.

2. 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.

3. Nautical.,  flying kite.

4. Finance.

   1. 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.

   2. a check whose amount has been raised by forgery before cashing.

5. a person who preys on others; sharper.

verb (used without object)

kited, kiting 

1. Informal.,  to fly or move with a rapid or easy motion like that of a kite.

2. to obtain money or credit through kites.

verb (used with object)

kited, kiting 

1. to employ (a check or the like) as a kite; to cash or pass (a kite, forged check, etc.).

kite

¹

/ kaɪt /

noun

1. a light frame covered with a thin material flown in the wind at the end of a length of string

2. slang,  an aeroplane

3. (plural) nautical any of various light sails set in addition to the working sails of a vessel

4. 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)

5. archaic,  a person who preys on others

6. commerce a negotiable paper drawn without any actual transaction or assets and designed to obtain money on credit, give an impression of affluence, etc

7. See fly 1

8. See high

verb

1. to issue (fictitious papers) to obtain credit or money

2. (tr) to write (a cheque) in anticipation of sufficient funds to cover it

3. (intr) to soar and glide

kite

²

/ kəɪt /

noun

1. a variant spelling of kyte

Other Word Forms

• kiter noun
• kitelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of kite¹

First recorded before 900 kite for def. 2; 1655–65 kite for def. 1; Middle English kyte, Old English cȳta “kite, bittern”; akin to German Kauz “owl”

Word History and Origins

Origin of kite¹

Old English cӯta; related to Middle High German küze owl, Old Norse kӯta to quarrel

Idioms and Phrases

see go fly a kite; high as a kite.

Example Sentences

She said Nafiz, the middle of Hafiyah’s three children, loved playing with kites and was well liked by both students and teachers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Eagle said prison officials took a leap in logic to link him to the gang based on a “kite,” or prison note, sent by another inmate.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Treasury says it has not been flying kites over the summer.

Read more on BBC

Tugging at kite strings in the field are a group of children, their necks craned towards the skies.

Read more on BBC

On Tuesday, Hanya is watching five colourful kites soaring in the sky from her balcony.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• answer 
• memo 
• memorandum 
• message 
• note 
• postcard 
• reply 
• report 

When To Use

What else does kite mean?

In prison slang, a kite is a message or note. Historically, kites were contraband notes passed between prisoners or smuggled out of prison.