Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Kite

Kite

(kīt)
,
Noun.
[OE.
kyte
, AS.
cȳta
; cf. W.
cud
,
cut
.]
1.
(Zool.)
Any raptorial bird of the subfamily
Milvinæ
, 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 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
.
2.
Fig.: One who is rapacious.
Detested
kite
, thou liest.
Shakespeare
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.
(Naut.)
A lofty sail, carried only when the wind is light.
5.
(Geom.)
A quadrilateral, one of whose diagonals is an axis of symmetry.
Henrici.
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]
7.
(Zool.)
The brill.
[Prov. Eng.]
Flying kites
.
(Naut.)
See under
Flying
.
Kite falcon
(Zool.)
,
an African falcon of the genus
Avicida
, having some resemblance to a kite.

Kite

,
Verb.
I.
To raise money by “kites;”
as,
kiting
transactions. See
Kite
, 6
.
[Cant]

Kite

,
Noun.
The belly.
[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Webster 1828 Edition


Kite

KITE

,
Noun.
A rapacious fowl of the genus Falco or hawk, remarkable for gliding through the air without frequently moving its wings; hence called glide.
1.
A name of reproach, denoting rapacity.
2.
A light frame of wood and paper constructed for flying in the air for the amusement of boys.

KITE

,
Noun.
In the north of England, the belly.