2. (Anat.)
(a) The joint, or region of the joint, between the thigh
and leg.
(b) In the horse and allied animals, the carpal joint,
corresponding to the wrist in man.
3. (Mech. & Shipbuilding) A piece of timber or metal formed
with an angle somewhat in the shape of the human knee when
bent.
4. A bending of the knee, as in respect or courtesy.
Give them title, knee, and approbation. --Shak.
{Knee breeches}. See under {Breeches}.
{Knee holly}, {Knee holm} (Bot.), butcher's broom.
{Knee jerk} (Physiol.) a jerk or kick produced by a blow or
sudden strain upon the patellar tendon of the knee, which
causes a sudden contraction of the quadriceps muscle; one
of the so-called tendon reflexes.
{Knee joint}. See in the Vocabulary.
{Knee timber}, timber with knees or angles in it.
{Knee tribute}, or {Knee worship}, tribute paid by kneeling;
worship by genuflection. [Obs.] ``Knee tribute yet
unpaid.'' --Milton.
Fall down, and knee The way into his mercy. --Shak