from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Knead \Knead\ (n[=e]d), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Kneaded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Kneading}.] [OE. kneden, As. cnedan; akin to D.
kneden, G. kneten, Sw. kn[*a]da, Icel. kno[eth]a; cf. OSlav.
gnesti.]
1. To work and press into a mass, usually with the hands;
esp., to work, as by repeated pressure with the knuckles,
into a well mixed mass, as the materials of bread, cake,
etc.; as, to knead dough.
[1913 Webster]
The kneading, the making of the cake, the heating of
the oven, and the baking. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. Fig.: To treat or form as by kneading; to beat.
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I will knead him : I'll make him supple. --Shak.
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3. To press repeatedly with the hands or knuckles, sometimes
with a twisting or squeezing motion; -- performed for
example on the body of a person as a form of massage.
[PJC]
{Kneading trough}, a trough or tray in which dough is
kneaded. --Ex. viii. 3.
[1913 Webster]