knead definition - Dictionary

MSN homeMailMy MSN

encartagreeting cards

encarta®

Dictionary

Thesaurus

Translations

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

knead

knead [ need ] (past and past participle knead·ed, present participle knead·ing, 3rd person present singular kneads)

verb

Definition:

1. transitive and intransitive verb work dough until smooth: to fold, press, and stretch a soft substance such as dough or clay, working it into a smooth uniform mass

2. transitive verb massage muscles: to rub, squeeze, or press a part of the body with the hands, e.g. in order to relax the muscles

3. transitive verb shape something with hands: to make or shape something out of a soft substance by kneading it

[ Old English cnedan< W Germanic]

knead·a·ble adjective

knead·er noun

Spelling Note


	knead or need? Do not confuse the spelling of knead and need, which sound similar. Knead is a verb meaning "to work dough" or "to massage muscles." Need, the more frequent of the two words, is a verb or noun referring to something that is required: I need your help. There's no need to panic.