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Anatomy. the joint of the leg that allows for movement between the femur and tibia and is protected by the patella; the central area of the leg between the thigh and the lower leg.
Zoology. the corresponding joint or region in the hind leg of a quadruped; stifle.
a joint or region likened to this but not anatomically homologous with it, as the tarsal joint of a bird, the carpal joint in the forelimb of the horse or cow, etc.
the part of a garment covering the knee.
something resembling a bent knee, especially a rigid or braced angle between two framing members.
Also called hip, shoulder. Furniture. the inward curve toward the top of a cabriole leg.
Building Trades.

the junction of the top and either of the uprights of a bent.
a curved member for reinforcing the junction of two pieces meeting at an angle.

Also called kneeler. a stone cut to follow a sharp return angle.
to strike or touch with the knee.
to secure (a structure, as a bent) with a knee.
Obsolete. to go down on the knees; kneel.
bring someone to his / her knees, to force someone into submission or compliance.
cut (someone) off at the knees, to squelch or humiliate (a person) suddenly and thoroughly:
The speaker cut the heckler off at the knees.
on one’s / its knees,

in a supplicatory position or manner:
I came to him on my knees for the money.
in a desperate or declining condition:
The country’s economy is on its knees.

Contemporary Examples

The Making of Kiesza: From Navy Sharpshooter to Beauty Queen to Pop Diva Marlow Stern October 19, 2014
John Glenn: I Remember Armstrong ‘for More Than Walking on the Moon’ Eleanor Clift August 26, 2012
Amnesty Report: ISIS Committing Ethnic Cleansing on an Historic Scale Nico Hines September 1, 2014
5 Exercises to Get Ski and Snowboard Ready DailyBurn January 1, 2014
The Original Ebola Hunter Abby Haglage September 13, 2014

Historical Examples

A Stable for Nightmares J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Way of the Lawless Max Brand
The Romany Rye George Borrow
Weighed and Wanting George MacDonald
What Will People Say? Rupert Hughes

noun
the joint of the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella Technical name genu, related adjective genicular

the area surrounding and above this joint
(modifier) reaching or covering the knee: knee breeches, knee socks

a corresponding or similar part in other vertebrates
the part of a garment that covers the knee
the upper surface of a seated person’s thigh: the child sat on her mother’s knee
anything resembling a knee in action, such as a device pivoted to allow one member angular movement in relation to another
anything resembling a knee in shape, such as an angular bend in a pipe
any of the hollow rounded protuberances that project upwards from the roots of the swamp cypress: thought to aid respiration in waterlogged soil
bend the knee, bow the knee, to kneel or submit
bring someone to his knees, to force someone into submission
bring something to its knees, to cause something to be in a weakened or impoverished state
verb knees, kneeing, kneed
(transitive) to strike, nudge, or push with the knee
n.
v.

In addition to the idiom beginning with
knee