knee

[ nee ]

noun

1. 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.
2. Zoology. the corresponding joint or region in the hind leg of a quadruped; stifle.
3. 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.
4. the part of a garment covering the knee.
5. something resembling a bent knee, especially a rigid or braced angle between two framing members.
6. Also called hip, shoulder. Furniture. the inward curve toward the top of a cabriole leg.
7. 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.
8. Also called kneeler. a stone cut to follow a sharp return angle.

verb (used with object)

, kneed, knee·ing.

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

verb (used without object)

, kneed, knee·ing.

1. Obsolete. to go down on the knees; kneel.

knee

/ niː /

noun

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

      knee socks

      knee breeches

3. a corresponding or similar part in other vertebrates
4. the part of a garment that covers the knee
5. the upper surface of a seated person's thigh

   the child sat on her mother's knee

6. anything resembling a knee in action, such as a device pivoted to allow one member angular movement in relation to another
7. anything resembling a knee in shape, such as an angular bend in a pipe
8. any of the hollow rounded protuberances that project upwards from the roots of the swamp cypress: thought to aid respiration in waterlogged soil
9. bend the knee or bow the knee
   to kneel or submit
10. bring someone to his knees
    to force someone into submission
11. bring something to its knees
    to cause something to be in a weakened or impoverished state

verb

1. tr to strike, nudge, or push with the knee

Word History and Origins

Origin of knee¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of knee¹

Old English cnēow; compare Old High German kneo, Old Norse knē, Latin genu

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. bring someone to his / her knees, to force someone into submission or compliance.
2. cut (someone) off at the knees, to squelch or humiliate (a person) suddenly and thoroughly:

   The speaker cut the heckler off at the knees.

3. 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.

4. 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 .

Example Sentences

Doe told police that she informed Hegseth she was uncomfortable when he touched her knee at the bar and declined his offer to return to his hotel room.

From Los Angeles Times

Taken together, these features enable the knee bones to maintain smooth contact, even when the joint twists by more than 100 degrees.

From Science Daily

The Pilots forced an incompletion on fourth down at their own 23 with 15 seconds left and Argueta took a knee to run out the clock.

From Los Angeles Times

The hit also tore his lateral cruciate ligament, shredded the cartilage in his knee and tore the hamstring off the bone.

From Los Angeles Times

Chastain ripped off her shirt, her sports bra on show, and dropped to her knees screaming as her team-mates ran towards her.

From BBC