KNEECAP (kneecapped, kneecapping)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: kneecapped    , kneecapping   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does kneecap mean? 

• KNEECAP (noun)
  The noun KNEECAP has 1 sense:

1. a small flat triangular bone in front of the knee that protects the knee joint

  Familiarity information: KNEECAP used as a noun is very rare.

• KNEECAP (verb)
  The verb KNEECAP has 1 sense:

1. shoot in the kneecap, often done by terrorist groups as a warning

  Familiarity information: KNEECAP used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• KNEECAP (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A small flat triangular bone in front of the knee that protects the knee joint

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

kneecap; kneepan; patella

Hypernyms ("kneecap" is a kind of...):

os sesamoideum; sesamoid; sesamoid bone (any of several small round bones formed in a tendon where it passes over a joint)

Holonyms ("kneecap" is a part of...):

articulatio genus; genu; human knee; knee; knee joint (hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella)

• KNEECAP (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Shoot in the kneecap, often done by terrorist groups as a warning

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

They kneecapped the industrialist

Hypernyms (to "kneecap" is one way to...):

hit; pip; shoot (hit with a missile from a weapon)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

 Context examples 

Once you dislocate a shoulder or kneecap, you are more likely to dislocate it again.

(Dislocations, NIH)

As well as I could make out, the kneecap seemed turned up on edge in the midst of the swelling.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)