kneading

Verb

knead (third-person singular simple present kneads, present participle kneading, simple past kneaded or (obsolete) knead, past participle kneaded or (obsolete) knead or (archaic) kneaden or (obsolete) knodden)

1. (transitive) To work and press into a mass, usually with the hands; especially, to work, as by repeated pressure with the knuckles, into a well mixed mass, the materials of bread, cake, etc.
   • Knead the dough by pressing down on it with the heels of both your palms and pushing it forward to stretch it, then pulling it back toward you...2001, Özcan Ozan, Carl Tremblay, The Sultan's Kitchen: A Turkish Cookbook
2. (figuratively, transitive) To treat or form as if by kneading; to beat.
   • I will knead him: I'll make him supple.c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...
3. (intransitive) Of cats, to make an alternating pressing motion with the two front paws.
   • Cats knead with their paws when happy, just as they kneaded when feeding from their mothers as kittens.1991, Grace McHattie, That's cats!: a compendium of feline facts

   Synonyms:

   make biscuits, make muffins

4. (transitive) To mix thoroughly; form into a homogeneous compound.

   Synonyms:

   amalgamate

See all 5 meanings of knead