Definitions For Kneecapping

Verb

{{infl of, en, kneecap, , ing-form}}

Noun

KNEECAPPING. (countable and uncountable, plural KNEECAPPINGs) (gerund) The act of injuring the knees of (a person), usually by shooting at the knees; often a punishment carried out by criminals or terrorists. : The mafiosi punished the informer by giving him a kneecapping. : Five kneecappings have been reported this month. (gerund, figurative, by extension) An excessively and needlessly damaging attack or disparagement.

Usage notes

The literal sense of this term is considered a misnomer by medical professionals because only a very small minority of victims suffer damage to the kneecap.