Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Kite?

\Kite\, n. [OE. kyte, AS. c?ta; cf. W. cud, cut.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) Any raptorial bird of the subfamily {Milvin[ae]}, of which many species are known. They have long wings, adapted for soaring, and usually a forked tail. Note: The European species are {Milvus ictinus} and {M. 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. --Shak. 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. (Zo["o]l.) The brill. [Prov. Eng. ] {Flying kites}. (Naut.) See under {Flying}. {Kite falcon} (Zo["o]l.), an African falcon of the genus {Avicida}, having some resemblance to a kite.
\Kite\, v. i. To raise money by ``kites;'' as, kiting transactions. See {Kite}, 6. [Cant]
\Kite\, n. The belly. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
\Kite\, n. (Naut.) A form of drag to be towed under water at any depth up to about forty fathoms, which on striking bottom is upset and rises to the surface; -- called also {sentry}.