ni: n. & v. --n. 1 a (often attrib.)
the joint between the
thigh and the lower
leg in humans. b the corresponding joint in
other animals. c the
area around this. d the upper
surface of the thigh of a
sitting person; the lap (held
her on
his knee). 2 the
part of a
garment covering the knee. 3
anything resembling a knee in
shape or
position,
esp. a
piece of
wood or
iron bent at an
angle, a
sharp turn in a graph, etc. --v.tr. (knees, kneed, kneeing) 1
touch or
strike with the knee (kneed the ball
past him; kneed him in the groin). 2 colloq.
cause (trousers) to
bulge at the knee. øbend (or bow) the knee
kneel, esp. in
submission.
bring a person to his or her knees
reduce a person to submission. knee-bend the
action of bending the knee, esp. as a
physical exercise in
which the
body is raised and lowered
without the
use of the hands. knee-breeches close-fitting
trousers reaching to or
just below the knee. knee-deep 1 (usu. foll. by in) a immersed up to the knees. b deeply involved. 2 so
deep as to
reach the knees. knee-high so
high as to reach the knees. knee-hole a
space for the knees, esp.
under a
desk. knee-jerk 1 a
sudden involuntary kick caused by a blow on the
tendon just below the knee. 2 (attrib.)
predictable,
automatic, stereotyped. knee-joint 1 = senses 1a, b of n. 2 a joint
made of
two pieces hinged
together. knee-length reaching the knees. knee-pan the
kneecap. knees-up
Brit. colloq. a
lively party or
gathering. on (or on one's) bended knee (or knees) kneeling, esp. in supplication, submission, or
worship. [OE cneo(w)]
