Knee

(nee), n. [A-S. kneō, kneōw, O. Sax. cnio, cneo, O. Fries. kni, N. H. Ger. & D. knie, O. H. Ger. chniu, chneo, Goth. kniu, Icel. knē, hnie, Dan. & Sw. knī, allied to Lat. genu, Gr. γόνυ, Skr. jānu.]

1. (Anat.) The joint connecting the two principal parts of the leg; the articulation of the thigh and leg bones.
2. (Mech.) A piece of timber or metal with an angle somewhat in the shape of the human knee when bent; as, in ship-building, the knees are timbers having two branches or arms, and used to connect the beams of a ship with her sides or timbers.