knees

Noun

knee (plural knees or (obsolete or dialectal) kneen)

1. In humans, the joint or the region of the joint in the middle part of the leg between the thigh and the shank.
   • Penny was wearing a miniskirt, so she skinned her exposed knees when she fell.
2. In the horse and allied animals, the carpal joint, corresponding to the wrist in humans.
3. (non-technical) The tarsal joint, uniting the tarsometatarsus and the tibiotarsus (homologous to the human ankle).
4. The joint uniting the tibiotarsus and the femur, typically hidden beneath plumage.
5. The part of a garment that covers the knee.
6. A piece of timber or metal formed with an angle somewhat in the shape of the human knee when bent.
   • Deck beams were supported by hanging knees, triangular pieces of wood typically found underneath the timbers they are designed to support, but in this case found above them.1980, Richard W. Unger, The Ship in the Medieval Economy 600-1600, page 41

See all 13 meanings of knee