What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

What is the difference between kneel and knee?

kneel | knee |

Knee is a derived term of kneel.



As verbs the difference between kneel and knee

is that kneel is to stoop down and rest on the knee or knees while knee is to kneel to.

As a noun 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.

kneel

English

Verb

  • (lb) To stoop down and rest on the knee or knees.
  • *
    • When the flames at last began to flicker and subside, his lids fluttered, then drooped?; but he had lost all reckoning of time when he opened them again to find Miss Erroll in furs kneeling on the hearth and heaping kindling on the coals, and her pretty little Alsatian maid beside her, laying a log across the andirons.

    Derived terms

    * kneeler

    Related terms

    * genuflect * kneel down

    References

    * * English irregular verbs

    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