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Knee vs Curtsey - What's the difference?

knee | curtsey |

As nouns the difference between knee and curtsey

is that knee is in humans, the joint or the region of the joint in the middle part of the leg between the thigh and the shank while curtsey is a small bow, generally performed by a woman or a girl, where she crosses one calf of her leg behind the other and briefly bends her knees and lowers her body in deference.

As verbs the difference between knee and curtsey

is that knee is (archaic) to kneel to while curtsey is to make a curtsey.

knee

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • 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.
  • In the horse and allied animals, the carpal joint, corresponding to the wrist in humans.
  • The part of a garment that covers the knee.
  • (shipbuilding) A piece of timber or metal formed with an angle somewhat in the shape of the human knee when bent.
  • * 1980 , Richard W. Unger, The Ship in the Medieval Economy 600-1600 , page 41
    • 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.
  • (archaic) An act of kneeling, especially to show respect or courtesy.
  • * circa'' 1605 , (William Shakepeare), ''(Timon of Athens) , Act III, scene iii, line 36
    • Give them title, knee , and approbation.
    To make a knee .
  • Any knee-shaped item or sharp angle in a line, "the knee of a graph", an inflection point.
  • A blow made with the knee; a kneeing.

    • Derived terms

    * down on one's knees * kneecap * kneejerk * kneel * kneepan * kneesies * knees-up

    Verb

    (d)
  • (archaic) To kneel to.
  • * 1605': I could as well be brought / To '''knee his throne and, squire-like, pension beg / To keep base life afoot. — William Shakespeare, ''King Lear II.ii
  • To poke or strike with the knee.

    • Anagrams

    * 1000 English basic words

    curtsey

    English

    (wikipedia curtsey)

    Alternative forms

    * curtsy

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • A small bow, generally performed by a woman or a girl, where she crosses one calf of her leg behind the other and briefly bends her knees and lowers her body in deference.
    • I refused to make so much as a curtsey for the passing nobles, as I am a staunch egalitarian.
  • * 1868,
    • ...making stately curtsies , and sweeping her train about with a rustle...
  • * 1928,
    • No caps were touched, no curtseys bobbed.

    Verb

  • To make a curtsey.
    • The hotel's staff variously curtsied , nodded, and bowed to the owner as she passed.
  • * 1841,
    • "I’m sure you’ll excuse me, sir," said Mrs Varden, rising and curtseying .
  • * 1861,
    • On the other hand, Mrs. Ladbrook was standing in skull-cap and front, with her turban in her hand, curtsying and smiling blandly...
  • * 1887,
    • 'I be as nothing in the eyes of my lord,' and she curtseyed towards him...
  • * 1890, James Russell Lowell, Address in Publications of the Modern Language Association of America
    • But DANTE was a great genius, and language curtesys to its natural Kings.
  • * 1903,
    • He curtsied low, and then bowed almost to the ground, with an imperturbable gravity that seemed almost suspicious.
  • * 1908, Caroline Crawford, Folk Dances and Games
    • The gentleman bows and the lady curtesys (measure eight).

    Anagrams

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