Knee (nē), v. t. To supplicate by kneeling. [Obs.]
Fall down, and knee
The way into
his mercy.
Shak
Knee (nē), n. [OE. kne, cneo, As. cneó, cneów; akin to OS. knio, kneo, OFries. knī, G. & D. knie, OHG. chniu,
chneo, Icel. knē, Sw. knä, Dan. knæ, Goth. kniu, L. genu, Gr. go`ny, Skr. jānu,
√231. Cf. Genuflection.]
1. In man, the joint in
the middle part of the leg.
2. (Anat.)
(a) The joint, or region of the
joint, between the thigh and
leg. (b)
In the horse and allied animals, the carpal joint, corresponding to the wrist in
man.
3. (Mech. & Shipbuilding) A piece of timber or metal formed with an angle
somewhat in the shape of
the human knee when bent.
4. A bending of
the knee, as
in respect or courtesy.
Give them title, knee, and approbation.
Shak.
Knee breeches.
See under Breeches. -- Knee
holly, Knee holm (Bot.), butcher's broom. -- Knee jerk (Physiol.) a jerk or kick
produced by a blow or sudden strain upon the patellar tendon of the knee, which causes a sudden contraction of the quadriceps muscle; one of the so-called tendon reflexes. --
Knee joint. See in the Vocabulary. -- Knee
timber, timber with knees or angles in it. -- Knee tribute, or Knee worship, tribute paid by kneeling; worship by genuflection. [Obs.]
"Knee tribute yet unpaid." Milton.
Hear it pronounced