Kneecapped: meaning, definitions and examples

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kneecapped

 

[ ˈniːˌkæpt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

slang usage

Kneecapped is a slang term that refers to the act of shooting someone in the kneecap, typically as a punishment or as a means of incapacitating them. This term is often used in criminal contexts, where it implies a violent act aimed at inflicting severe injury. The imagery associated with kneecapping suggests a brutal and ruthless approach, often linked to organized crime or gang-related activities. It symbolizes a form of control or retribution against individuals deemed as adversaries.

Synonyms

disable, injure, punish

Examples of usage

  • He was kneecapped as a warning to others.
  • The mob's method of dealing with traitors often included kneecapping.
  • Reports indicated that he might have been kneecapped during the confrontation.
  • Kneecapping is often portrayed in crime dramas as a method of intimidation.

Translations

Translations of the word "kneecapped" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desabilitado

🇮🇳 घुटने में गोली मारी गई

🇩🇪 kniegebrochen

🇮🇩 ditembak di lutut

🇺🇦 поранений в коліно

🇵🇱 okaleczony

🇯🇵 膝を撃たれた

🇫🇷 blessé au genou

🇪🇸 herido en la rodilla

🇹🇷 dizinden vurulmuş

🇰🇷 무릎에 총상을 입은

🇸🇦 مصاب في الركبة

🇨🇿 zraněný na koleni

🇸🇰 zranený na kolene

🇨🇳 膝盖受伤

🇸🇮 ranjen v koleno

🇮🇸 meiddur í hné

🇰🇿 тізе жарақат алған

🇬🇪 დაზიანებული მუხლი

🇦🇿 dizində yaralanmış

🇲🇽 herido en la rodilla

Etymology

The term 'kneecapped' emerged from the violent criminal underworld, particularly in the mid-20th century. It combines the word 'knee', which is a joint in the human leg, and the past tense of the verb 'cap', originally meaning to shoot. The specific imagery of targeting the kneecap conveys a brutal intent to incapacitate rather than kill, thus leaving a lasting mark on the victim. The act of kneecapping has roots in gang-related disputes, where it serves as a method of instilling fear and asserting dominance. The term gained traction through media representation in films and television, which often dramatize the violent underpinnings of organized crime. Consequently, 'kneecapping' has transcended its literal meaning to symbolize a broader notion of ruthless behavior in both real life and fiction.