kneecap

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Word: Kneecap

Part of Speech: Noun & Verb

Definition:

1. Noun: The kneecap is a small, flat, triangular bone located in front of the knee. It protects the knee joint and helps with movement.

   • Example: "When she fell, she hurt her kneecap and had to go to the doctor."

2. Verb: To "kneecap" someone means to shoot them in the kneecap. This is often used in a criminal context, where it serves as a warning to others.

   • Example: "The gang kneecapped their rival to show they meant business."

Usage Instructions:

• Noun Usage: Use "kneecap" when referring to the bone in the body. It can be used in medical or everyday contexts.
• Verb Usage: Use "kneecap" in a serious context, often related to crime or violence. It’s not a word you would use casually.

Advanced Usage:

• In medical terms, the kneecap is also known as the patella. You might encounter this term in anatomy discussions.
• As a verb, "kneecapping" can be used metaphorically to describe undermining someone’s efforts or disabling them in some way, though this is less common.

Word Variants:

• Kneecapped (adjective): Describing someone who has been shot in the kneecap.
• Kneecapping (noun): The act of shooting someone in the kneecap.

Different Meanings:

• The primary meanings relate to anatomy and violence. There are no widely recognized alternative meanings, but in slang, "kneecap" could be used to imply a strong warning or significant setback.

Synonyms:

• For the anatomical meaning:
  • Patella
• For the verb meaning (in a criminal context):
  • Shoot (specifically to the knee), incapacitate

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs specifically with "kneecap," you might hear phrases like: - "Take a shot at" (which can mean to attempt something, not necessarily violent). - "Bring someone down a notch" (which can imply reducing someone's power or confidence, similar to the metaphorical use of "kneecapping").

Summary:

"Kneecap" is a useful word to know in both medical and criminal contexts. As a noun, it refers specifically to the protective bone in the knee, while as a verb, it describes a violent act.

Academic

Noun

1. a small flat triangular bone in front of the knee that protects the knee joint

Verb

1. shoot in the kneecap, often done by terrorist groups as a warning
   • They kneecapped the industrialist

Synonyms

• patella
• kneepan