dictionary help1. <ornithology> Any raptorial bird of the subfamily Milvinae, of which many species are known. They have long wings, adapted for soaring, and usually a forked tail.
The European species are Milvus ictinus and Milvus govinda; the sacred or Brahmany kite of India is Haliastur Indus; the American fork-tailed kite is the Nauclerus furcatus.
2. One who is rapacious. "Detested kite, thou liest." (Shak)
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.
4. A lofty sail, carried only when the wind is light.
5. <geometry> A quadrilateral, one of whose diagonals is an axis of symmetry.
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.
7. <zoology> Kite falcon, an African falcon of the genus Avicida, having some resemblance to a kite.
Origin: OE. Kyte, AS.cta; cf. W. Cud, cut.
(01 Mar 1998)
Kitasato, Shibasaburo Baron, kitcat, kitchen, kitchenmaid < Prev | Next > kit fox, kithe, kitish, kitten
Bookmark with:      | word visualiser | Go and visit our forums  |
