[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/knee/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [K](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/k/) / knee # knee noun (a knee, knees); verb (knee, knees, kneed — to hit with the knee) «knee» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. The joint in the middle of your leg where it bends. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knee/#m1) 2. Your lap when you sit: «Sit on my knee». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knee/#m2) 3. The part of trousers that covers the knee. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knee/#m3) 4. Verb: to hit someone with your knee. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knee/#m4) 5. Knee-deep means deep enough for the water to reach your knees. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knee/#m5) ### In the lessons In science: the knee is a hinge joint; the kneecap (patella) protects it; muscles and ligaments help it bend. In safety and sport: knee pads for skating and skateboarding; scraped knees from falling — clean and cover them. In manners: kneel down on your knees. Phrases: bend your knees, on your knees, knee pads, kneecap, knee-deep, knee-high, weak at the knees, bring to its knees. ### Examples - I fell and scraped my knee. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knee/#x1) - Bend your knees when you land. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knee/#x2) - Wear knee pads when you skateboard. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knee/#x3) - The toddler sat on Grandpa's knee. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knee/#x4) - The water was knee-deep. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knee/#x5) - There's a hole in the knee of my jeans. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knee/#x6) - Your kneecap protects the front of your knee. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knee/#x7) - Kneel on one knee to tie your shoe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knee/#x8) - Little Christina sat on Ib's knee. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knee/#x9) ### Note Countable: knees. The k is silent: say «nee». «Kneel» (to go down on your knees): past knelt or kneeled. Knees bend only one way, like a hinge. ## In Jewish tradition Being born "upon the knees" means being taken in as one's own child, as with Bilhah's child for Rachel and Joseph's great-grandchildren. In the prophets and writings, weak or trembling knees are a sign of fear and weakness, and Job speaks of the knees that held him as a newborn. **Interpretation.** The rabbis read it as a sign of adoption and love, in which a grandparent claims children as part of the family. Isaiah's call to make firm the tottering knees is read as encouragement to the discouraged before the redemption. ### Examples - And Joseph brought them out from between his knees; and he fell down on his face to the earth. (Torah GEN.48.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/knee/#x1) - And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation; the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were born upon Joseph's knees. (Torah GEN.50.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/knee/#x2) - And she said: 'Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; that she may bear upon my knees, and I also may be builded up through her.' (Torah GEN.30.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/knee/#x3) - Why did the knees receive me? (Writings JOB.3.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/knee/#x4) - Strengthen ye the weak hands, and make firm the tottering knees. (Prophets ISA.35.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/knee/#x5) - All hands shall be slack, and all knees shall drip with water. (Prophets EZK.7.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/knee/#x6) ### Note Countable: knees. The k is silent: say «nee». «Kneel» (to go down on your knees): past knelt or kneeled. Knees bend only one way, like a hinge. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «knee» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/K/knee/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«knee» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/knee.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «knee» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/K/knee/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«knee» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/knee.html) on Mova free.