kite

kite · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (noun) A light frame covered with paper or cloth, flown in the wind at the end of a long string.

  2. 2.

    (noun) A bird of prey with long wings and a forked tail.

  3. 3.

    (verb) To fly a kite.

  4. 4.

    (verb) (slang) To write fraudulent checks or obtain money illegally.

  5. 5.

    (noun) (geometry) A quadrilateral with two pairs of adjacent sides that are equal.

Forms

plural: kites

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    fly a kite — to test public reaction to an idea
  • •
    go fly a kite — (informal) go away, leave me alone
  • •
    high as a kite — extremely intoxicated or drugged

Related words

See also: bird, fly, toy

Etymology

From Old English cyta ("kite, bittern"), of uncertain origin. The toy was named after the bird due to its hovering flight.