kneecap
UK[ˈniːkæp]US[ˈniːkæp]
n
the flat, movable bone at the front of the knee.
v
to shoot someone in the knee or leg as a punishment.
Morpheme Breakdown
knee
cap
knee
cap
Etymology
the word 'kneecap' is a transparent english compound, formed from two old english and germanic elements. 'knee' originates from proto-germanic 'knewą', which itself derives from proto-indo-european 'ǵónu', a root widely referring to the knee joint. the second element, 'cap', entered english from latin 'cappa' via old french, originally meaning a head-covering. in the compound, 'cap' functions metaphorically, likening the patella bone to a protective helmet or covering for the knee joint. this descriptive term, emerging in the late 16th century, logically names the anatomical feature by its location and perceived function as a shield for the joint.
Analysis
Structure: knee + cap
knee (from old english 'cnēow', meaning the joint between the thigh and the lower leg; a body part). cap (from latin 'cappa', meaning a covering for the head; here used metaphorically for a covering or protective piece).
Examples
he fractured his kneecap during the football match.
the patella, commonly known as the kneecap, is a sesamoid bone.
in some conflicts, militants were known to kneecap their prisoners.