knock-knee

American  

[nok-nee] / ˈnɒkˌni /

noun

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

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

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knock-knee British  

noun

1. Technical name: genu valgum.  a condition in which the legs are bent inwards causing the knees to touch when standing

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Other Word Forms

• knock-kneed adjective

Etymology

Origin of knock-knee

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Dr. Truslow operated on her right shin bone, just below the knee, to correct the knock-knee, knee flexion and outward flexion of that leg.

From Time Magazine Archive

That dog’s gonna be right jealous you dumped her so easy for something as plain and homely as that skinny, knock-knee Foster girl.

From "The Journey of Little Charlie" by Christopher Paul Curtis

The static equilibrium may be disturbed by such deformities as flat-foot or knock-knee, and badly united fractures of the lower extremity.

From Manual of Surgery Volume First: General Surgery. Sixth Edition. by Thomson, Alexis

Lateral dislocation of the patella is met with in extreme forms of knock-knee, and after correction of this deformity by osteotomy, and its possible occurrence should be guarded against at the time of the operation.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander

Laxity of the ligaments and knock-knee are predisposing factors.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander