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”

Words nearby knee

knavish, knawel, knead, kneaded butter, Knebworth House, knee, knee action, knee bend, kneeboard, knee brace, knee breeches

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

How to use knee in a sentence

Instead, the team took MRI scans of patients’ knees and simulated the process of what a faster imaging process would have created by stripping some of the raw data out, and then used AI to knit that data into a complete picture.
Artificial intelligence creates better, faster MRI scans|Rob Verger|September 4, 2020|Popular-Science
For coach Brad Stevens, the answer should be found by turning him loose in a simple sequence that has brought opponents to their knees all season.
Give Boston’s Kemba Walker A Double Pick And Watch Him Work|Michael Pina|August 31, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
“Again, not outrageous miniskirts—you know, like a couple of inches above her knees, not crazy,” Roberts says.
How Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ achieves its look—even as each season evolves|radmarya|August 29, 2020|Fortune
The proverbial knee, of course, is the one that remained on George Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.
How to Confront Racism in Philanthropy|Joshua Eferighe|August 24, 2020|Ozy

Its height extends from a batter’s knees to the middle of his chest.
A robot referee can really keep its ‘eye’ on the ball|Kathryn Hulick|August 20, 2020|Science News For Students
Do you think of power suits for men and knee-covering skirts for women?
Glenn Beck Is Now Selling Hipster Clothes. Really.|Ana Marie Cox|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is not a knee-jerk response to a sudden perceived threat.
To Stop ISIS, Britain Is Set to Stop Free Speech|Nico Hines|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This whole thing about a black-and-white culture of knee-jerk reactions is reinforced by television.
James Patterson Goes Full ‘Fahrenheit 451’ With Burning Book Video|William O’Connor|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He started Spinal Solutions in 1999 and launched a firm selling knee and hip implants three years later.
Patients Screwed in Spine Surgery ‘Scam’|The Center for Investigative Reporting|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At 15, she developed iliotibial band syndrome, injuring her knee, and had to surrender her dream.
The Making of Kiesza: From Navy Sharpshooter to Beauty Queen to Pop Diva|Marlow Stern|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That his friend had withdrawn, was a pledge of his pacific wishes; and, with a lightened countenance, Louis rose from his knee.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
To drop on one knee and level his piece was the work of an instant, but unfortunately he snapped a dry twig in doing so.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
Her left knee was supported on pillows, and the bed-clothes were raised away from it, for it could tolerate no weight whatever.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
With a low moan her head sunk upon the old man's knee, and she shook and trembled with violent emotion.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
As the expression, "every knee shall bow to me," cannot be confined to that alone, so neither can that which immediately follows.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham

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 nearby 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