KNEE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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knee

[ nee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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.
1. the junction of the top and either of the uprights of a bent.
2. 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, kneeing.

to strike or touch with the knee.
to secure (a structure, as a bent) with a knee.

verb (used without object)

kneed, kneeing.

Obsolete. to go down on the knees; kneel.

knee

/ �Ծ�ː /

noun

the joint of the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella Technical namegenu genicular
1. the area surrounding and above this joint
2. modifier reaching or covering the knee
  knee socks
  knee breeches
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 thigh
the 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

tr to strike, nudge, or push with the knee

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of knee¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English kne, cne, knei, cneo, Old English ��ŧ��(��); cognate with German Knie, Dutch knie, Old Norse ��ŧ, Gothic kniu, Latin genu, Greek ��ó�Բ�, Sanskrit ��Գ�, Hittite genu, all meaning “knee”

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of knee¹

Old English ��ŧ�Ƿ�; compare Old High German kneo, Old Norse ��ŧ, Latin genu

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Idioms and Phrases

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,
1. in a supplicatory position or manner:
  I came to him on my knees for the money.
2. 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: Organizers are coordinating so the crowds at every state capitol will take a knee in protest of racial injustice simultaneously, across time zones.
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.

More idioms and phrases containing knee

In addition to the idiom beginning with knee , also see bring to one's knees ; on bended knee .

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He was referred by his physiotherapist to an exercise scheme at his local leisure centre to help him during the wait for his second knee replacement.

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It’s a different side to Carroll, whom NFL fans might better recognize bouncing down the sidelines for the Seattle Seahawks, or hunched over with hands on knees, chomping gum and laser focused on his players.

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Leonard had missed the first 34 games of the season while recovering from a right knee injury.

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By this point, she's having a blast – bounding across the catwalk every night, and dropping to her knees between songs to talk to the audience at eye level.

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Dugalic, a graduate student who has one year of eligibility remaining because of a knee injury in 2022, started 63 games in the last two seasons.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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