knee

knee · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The joint between the thigh and the lower leg in humans.

  2. 2.

    The corresponding joint in other animals.

  3. 3.

    The part of a garment covering the knee.

Forms

plural: knees

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    bring someone to their knees — force someone into submission
  • •
    on bended knee — kneeling as a sign of respect or proposal
  • •
    weak at the knees — feeling faint, often from attraction
  • •
    knee-jerk reaction — automatic, unthinking response

Related words

See also: kneel, knees, leg

Etymology

From Old English cneo, from Proto-Germanic knewam, related to Latin genu and Greek gony ("knee").