knead

[need]

See more synonyms for knead on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to work (dough, clay, etc.) into a uniform mixture by pressing, folding, and stretching.
to manipulate by similar movements, as the body in a massage.
to make by kneading: to knead bread.

to make kneading movements with: She kneaded her fist into her palm.

Origin of knead

before 950; Middle English kneden, Old English cnedan; cognate with German kneten, Dutch kneden

Related formsknead·a·ble, adjectiveknead·a·bil·i·ty, nounknead·er, nounknead·ing·ly, adverbre·knead, verb (used with object)un·knead·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for knead

rub, massage, form, aerate, blend, work, shape, ply, twist, push, stroke, press, squeeze, mold, alter, manipulate

Examples from the Web for knead

Contemporary Examples of knead

Mix together then knead to make a soft, smooth, elastic dough.
Unusual Pizza to Cook on Your Grill
Lydia Brownlow
June 15, 2012
Pour in the chicken stock and knead with your hands until the bread is very moist, actually wet.
Divine Apple Dishes
Anne Burrell
January 6, 2011
The chocolate is put in large conching machines that spin it though whirling blades to knead it for hours.
Four Chocolate Questions Answered
Mary Goodbody
September 29, 2009

Historical Examples of knead

When it has doubled in bulk, remove it from the bowl and knead it.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 1
Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
Knead the dough, let it rise again, and form it into loaves.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 1
Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
When it is well mixed, knead it with your hands into a stiff dough.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
Knead it, and then roll it out into a sheet about half an inch thick.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
When it is quite light, put it on your paste-board and knead it well.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie

British Dictionary definitions for knead

knead

verb (tr)

to work and press (a soft substance, such as bread dough) into a uniform mixture with the hands
to squeeze, massage, or press with the hands
to make by kneading

Derived Formskneader, noun

Word Origin for knead

Old English cnedan; related to Old Saxon knedan, Old Norse knotha

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

Word Origin and History for knead

Old English cnedan "to knead," from Proto-Germanic *knedanan (cf. Old Saxon knedan, Middle Dutch cneden, Dutch kneden, Old High German knetan, German kneten, Old Norse knoða "to knead"). Originally a strong verb (past tense cnæd, past participle cneden).