kneecap

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

kneecap
    n 1: a small flat triangular bone in front of the knee that
         protects the knee joint [syn: {patella}, {kneecap},
         {kneepan}]
    v 1: shoot in the kneecap, often done by terrorist groups as a
         warning; "They kneecapped the industrialist"

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

kneecap \knee"cap`\, n.
   1. (Anat.) A roundish, flattened, sesamoid bone in the tendon
      in front of the knee joint; the patella; the kneepan.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A cap or protection for the knee.

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

kneecap \knee"cap\ v. t.
   to break the knees of, especially by shooting in the kneecap;
   -- often done by criminal or terrorist groups as a warning or
   punishment.

   Note:

   Syn: knee-cap.
        [WordNet 1.5]

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