kite

[ kahyt ]

noun

1. a light frame covered with some thin material, to be flown in the wind at the end of a long string.
2. any of several small birds of the hawk family Accipitridae that have long, pointed wings, feed on insects, carrion, reptiles, rodents, and birds, and are noted for their graceful, gliding flight. Compare black kite, swallow-tailed kite, white-tailed kite.
3. Nautical. flying kite.
4. Finance.
   1. a check drawn against uncollected or insufficient funds, as for redepositing, with the intention of creating a false balance in the account by taking advantage of the time lapse required for collection.
   2. a check whose amount has been raised by forgery before cashing.
5. a person who preys on others; sharper.

verb (used without object)

, kit·ed, kit·ing.

1. Informal. to fly or move with a rapid or easy motion like that of a kite.
2. to obtain money or credit through kites.

verb (used with object)

, kit·ed, kit·ing.

1. to employ (a check or the like) as a kite; to cash or pass (a kite, forged check, etc.).

kite

¹

/ kaɪt /

noun

1. a light frame covered with a thin material flown in the wind at the end of a length of string
2. slang.
   an aeroplane
3. plural nautical any of various light sails set in addition to the working sails of a vessel
4. any diurnal bird of prey of the genera Milvus, Elanus, etc, typically having a long forked tail and long broad wings and usually preying on small mammals and insects: family Accipitridae (hawks, etc)
5. archaic.
   a person who preys on others
6. commerce a negotiable paper drawn without any actual transaction or assets and designed to obtain money on credit, give an impression of affluence, etc
7. fly a kite
   See fly 1
8. high as a kite
   See high

verb

1. to issue (fictitious papers) to obtain credit or money
2. tr to write (a cheque) in anticipation of sufficient funds to cover it
3. intr to soar and glide

kite

²

/ kəɪt /

noun

1. a variant spelling of kyte

Derived Forms

• ˈkiter, noun

Other Words From

• kiter noun
• kitelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of kite¹

First recorded before 900 kite fordef 2; 1655–65 kite fordef 1; Middle English kyte, Old English cȳta “kite, bittern”; akin to German Kauz “owl”

Word History and Origins

Origin of kite¹

Old English cӯta; related to Middle High German küze owl, Old Norse kӯta to quarrel

Idioms and Phrases

see go fly a kite ; high as a kite .

Example Sentences

“With the name Ahmed Ahmed, I can’t even fly a kite in this country,” he said and laughed at the podium microphone.

From Los Angeles Times

The woman, in her 70s, was found in her flat at Gatensbury Place, run by Red Kite Community Housing, in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire.

From BBC

Red Kite said one of its staff received a report about the odour on about 4 August, but would not confirm the exact date.

From BBC

Helen Kite’s sister, Linda, advertised for a partner in 2023.

From BBC

Its co-founder, Sarah Kite, said it was the most horrifying content she had ever encountered.

From BBC

Related Words

• answer
• memo
• memorandum
• message
• note
• postcard
• reply
• report