Kneecap

Kneecap

Noun · /ˈniːkæp/

Definition

The small, flat, round bone at the front of the knee joint; also called the patella. Used informally to refer to the knee area generally.

Origin

Old English: cneow (knee) + cæppe (cap, lid). The compound kneecap emerged in the 17th century as an anatomical and everyday term for the protective bone covering the knee.