knock-knee

[ nok-nee ]

/ ˈnɒkˌni /

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noun

inward curvature of the legs, causing the knees to knock together in walking.

knock-knees, the knees of a person whose legs have such curvature.

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Origin of knock-knee

First recorded in 1820–30

OTHER WORDS FROM knock-knee

knock-kneed, adjective

Words nearby knock-knee

knock-for-knock, knocking copy, knocking-shop, knock into a cocked hat, knock it off, knock-knee, knockoff, knock-on, knock-on effect, knock oneself out, knock on wood

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use knock-knee in a sentence

This courageous act earned him a late-night knock on the door with orders for Serna to vamos from Cuba.
Obama’s One Hand Clap With Castro|Doug McIntyre|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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
In the back of my mind I was wondering how much time we had before there might be an ominous knock at the door.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I was writing Lorrie Moore knock-off short stories before I switched to nonfiction.
Meghan Daum On Tackling The Unspeakable Parts Of Life|David Yaffe|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Still, we had the 13 dwarves to deal with, but at least in this movie we get to knock a couple off, which is a relief.
‘No Regrets’: Peter Jackson Says Goodbye to Middle-Earth|Alex Suskind|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If the Turks get hold of a lot of fresh men and throw them upon us during the night,—perhaps they may knock us off into the sea.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
That his friend had withdrawn, was a pledge of his pacific wishes; and, with a lightened countenance, Louis rose from his knee.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
There was no response to the knock, and Davy cautiously pushed open the door and went in.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
Captain Lovelock got up as well; Bernard heard him knock over his little gilded chair.
Confidence|Henry James
“I think it is a knock at the door,” said Mr. Pickwick, as if there could be the smallest doubt of the fact!
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens

British Dictionary definitions for knock-knee

knock-knee

noun

a condition in which the legs are bent inwards causing the knees to touch when standingTechnical name: genu valgum

Derived forms of knock-knee

knock-kneed, adjective

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

Medical definitions for knock-knee

knock-knee

[ nŏk′nē′ ]

A deformity of the legs in which the knees are abnormally close together and the ankles are spread widely apart.