from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Kite \Kite\ (k[imac]t), n. [OE. kyte, AS. c[=y]ta; cf. W. cud,
cut.]
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1. (Zool.) Any raptorial bird of the subfamily {Milvin[ae]},
of which many species are known. They have long wings,
adapted for soaring, and usually a forked tail.
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Note: The European species are {Milvus ictinus} and {Milvus
migrans}; the pariah kite of India is {Milvus govinda};
the sacred or Brahmany kite of India is {Haliastur
Indus}; the American fork-tailed kite is the {Nauclerus
furcatus}.
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2. Fig.: One who is rapacious.
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Detested kite, thou liest. --Shak.
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3. A light frame of wood or other material covered with paper
or cloth, for flying in the air at the end of a string.
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4. (Naut.) A lofty sail, carried only when the wind is light.
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5. (Geom.) A quadrilateral, one of whose diagonals is an axis
of symmetry. --Henrici.
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6. Fictitious commercial paper used for raising money or to
sustain credit, as a check which represents no deposit in
bank, or a bill of exchange not sanctioned by sale of
goods; an accommodation check or bill. [Cant]
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7. (Zool.) The brill. [Prov. Eng.]
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8. (Naut.) A form of drag to be towed under water at any
depth up to about forty fathoms, which on striking bottom
is upset and rises to the surface; -- called also
{sentry}.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
{Flying kites}. (Naut.) See under {Flying}.
{Kite falcon} (Zool.), an African falcon of the genus
{Avicida}, having some resemblance to a kite.
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