knead
UK: niːd | US: niːd
vt. to work (dough, clay, etc.) with the hands, especially to mix or blend into a uniform mass
vt. to massage or squeeze with the hands, as in kneading muscles
No data yet.
The word "knead" traces back to Old English cnedan, meaning "to press or squeeze with the hands." It shares roots with Germanic words like Dutch kneden and German kneten, all conveying the action of manipulating dough or clay. The Proto-Indo-European root gnet- (to knead, compress) further connects it to words like "knuckle," reflecting the physical motion of pressing or shaping. Over time, "knead" retained its core meaning of manual manipulation, extending metaphorically to massage or repetitive shaping.
She kneaded the dough until it was smooth and elastic.
The baker kneads the bread for at least ten minutes to develop gluten.
He gently kneaded his sore shoulders after a long workout.
Kneading clay helps remove air bubbles before sculpting.
The cat kneaded the blanket with its paws, a behavior from kittenhood.