different between kneecapper vs kneecap

English

Etymology

kneecap +? -er

Noun

kneecapper (plural kneecappers)

1. The person who carries out kneecapping.

English

Etymology

knee +? cap

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?ni??kæp/, enPR: n?'k?p

Noun

kneecap (plural kneecaps)

1. (anatomy) The flat, roundish bone in the knee.

   Synonyms: kneepan, patella, rotula, scutum

2. (roofing) A metal cover trim that fits over a panel rib after it has been cut and bent.
3. A cap or strong covering for the knees, used chiefly for horses, to protect their knees in case of a fall.

Translations

Verb

kneecap (third-person singular simple present kneecaps, present participle kneecapping, simple past and past participle kneecapped)

1. (transitive) To destroy the knees of (a person), usually by shooting at the knees, as a punishment carried out by criminals or terrorists.
   • 2020, Liam Kennedy, Who Was Responsible for the Troubles?, McGill-Queen's Press (?ISBN), page 109:

     The Sinn Féin press officer Richard McAuley freely admitted, “Back four or five years ago, people were getting kneecapped who should not have been kneecapped.”

Usage notes

• This term is considered a misnomer by medical professionals because only a very small minority of victims suffer damage to the kneecap.

Related terms

• kneecapping
• kneecapper

Translations