kite
kite
Pronunciation
Kite
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /kaɪt/
Syllable 1: /kaɪt/
/k/ as in "cat" (voiceless velar stop)
/aɪ/ as in "my" (diphthong)
/t/ as in "top" (voiceless alveolar stop)
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: kite
Plural: kites
Verb:
Base form: kite
Past tense: kited
Past participle: kited
Present participle: kiting
Third-person singular present: kites
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A lightweight framework covered with paper, cloth, or plastic, flown in the wind at the end of a long string or line. It is typically used for recreation or as a traditional toy.
Synonyms: plaything (general), wind toy, aerofoil (technical)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; refers to a specific object)
A bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, characterized by long, narrow wings and a forked tail, known for its graceful, soaring flight.
Synonyms: raptor, bird of prey, hawk (general category)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; refers to a specific bird)
(Figurative, informal) A fraudulent check, bill, or similar financial instrument, especially one used to gain credit or money dishonestly by taking advantage of the time it takes for funds to clear. (Often in the phrase "to fly a kite" or "kite a check.")
Synonyms: rubber check, bad check, bounced check, fraud (general)
Antonyms: valid check, cleared payment, legitimate transaction
(Geometry) A quadrilateral having two pairs of equal-length sides that are adjacent to each other.
Synonyms: deltoid (technical)
Antonyms: square, rectangle, rhombus (as other quadrilaterals)
Verb
To fly (a kite) in the wind.
Synonyms: fly, launch, send aloft
Antonyms: reel in, land, pull down
To move or cause to move rapidly or lightly through the air, often with the wind.
Synonyms: glide, soar, float, drift, whisk
Antonyms: plummet, fall, descend, drop
(Informal, finance) To write or use a fraudulent check or bill; to engage in check kiting.
Synonyms: defraud, swindle, scam, bounce (a check)
Antonyms: validate, clear (funds), settle honestly
(Slang, often related to drugs) To sniff a substance such as cocaine.
Synonyms: snort, sniff (informal)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific action)
Examples of Use
Books:
"The boy spent the entire afternoon attempting to fly his new red kite, chasing it across the windy field." (From a children's book or fictional narrative)
"The book details the migration patterns of various raptors, including the majestic red kite." (From a nature guide or ornithology text, referring to the bird)
"The novel's protagonist discovered her late father's secret, a scheme to kite checks between multiple banks." (From a crime novel or financial thriller, referring to financial fraud)
Newspapers:
"Local festival to feature a spectacular kite-flying display over the city park." (From a community news report)
"Conservation efforts are yielding positive results, with a steady increase in red kite populations across Europe." (From an environmental news section, referring to the bird)
"Police warn businesses about sophisticated schemes used by fraudsters to kite funds across international borders." (From a financial crime report, referring to financial fraud)
Online Publications:
"How to build and fly your own diamond kite for beginners." (From a hobby or craft website, e.g., Instructables.com)
"Rare footage captures a red kite snatching prey mid-air with incredible precision." (From a wildlife documentary online or nature blog, e.g., National Geographic Online)
"Warning signs of check kiting: How to protect your business from financial fraud." (From a financial security blog, e.g., Investopedia.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The scene shows the protagonist and his father bonding over flying a magnificent kite on a breezy hill." (Movie plot description or review, evoking sentiment)
Television Series: "Our wildlife documentary follows a family of black kites as they raise their chicks in the urban environment." (From a nature documentary series, e.g., Planet Earth)
Music (Song Lyrics): "Let's go fly a kite, up to the highest height!" (From Mary Poppins, "Let's Go Fly a Kite")
Video Games: "Use your grappling hook to kite across the chasm and avoid the enemies below." (In-game instruction or strategy guide, generic example, meaning to move lightly/quickly)
Podcasts: "Today's episode delves into the history of competitive kite flying and its global championships." (From a sports or hobby podcast)
General Public Discourse:
"Look at that kite flying so high!" (Common casual observation)
"He just learned how to kite a check, and now he's in deep trouble." (Common informal reference to financial fraud)
"The kids love to kite their toys on windy days." (Common informal use, meaning to fly light objects)
"I saw a beautiful red kite soaring overhead yesterday; they're magnificent birds." (Common observation about the bird)
"That project is a real paper kite; it looks impressive but has no substance." (Original metaphorical use for something insubstantial but showy)
10 Famous Quotes Using Kite
“Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back — a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.” — Anaïs Nin
“Imagination is the highest kite one can fly.” — Lauren Bacall
“A kite flies against the wind, not with it.” — Winston Churchill (attributed, though sometimes debated)
“You will never be able to fly a kite if you are not willing to lose sight of the string.” — Anonymous proverb
“True courage is like a kite; a contrary wind raises it higher.” — John Petit-Senn
“The optimist sees the kite rising against the wind. The pessimist complains about the wind. The realist adjusts the string.” — Adapted from William Arthur Ward
“Kites rise highest against the wind — not with it.” — Winston Churchill (a popular variation of #3)
“You don’t need a plane to touch the sky, just a kite and a little wind.” — Unknown
“Flying a kite is a reminder that resistance can lift you higher.” — Anonymous
“The kite string is the tether that allows freedom, not restricts it.” — From The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (paraphrased sentiment)
Etymology
The word "kite" has a few distinct origins for its different meanings, which makes its history quite interesting!
1. Meaning "bird":
This is the older of the two main origins. It comes from the Old English word "cȳta," which referred to a bird of prey known for its graceful, soaring flight. The exact deeper roots of this Old English word are a bit uncertain, but it's likely of Germanic origin.
The first known use and meaning of "kite" in English, referring to the bird of prey, dates back to before 900 AD.
2. Meaning "flying toy":
This meaning is much more recent. The word for the flying toy came into English from the bird's name because the toy flies and soars in the air in a way that resembles the bird's flight.
The first known use of "kite" to refer to the flying toy appeared in the mid-17th century (specifically around 1640). It quickly became popular, especially as a children's toy.
3. Meaning "fraudulent check" (finance slang):
This meaning is separate again! It's believed to have originated from the idea of a check "flying" or "floating" (like a kite in the air) between bank accounts, without being backed by sufficient funds.
This financial slang sense of "kite" emerged in the late 18th century (around 1795).
So, while the toy and the financial slang are derived from the bird's name, they came into existence much later, with the bird being the original "kite."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Kite
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "kite," supplemented as needed:
Go fly a kite! (Informal, dismissive) Go away; stop bothering me.
Kite flying: (Informal) The act of suggesting an idea or plan, often to gauge public reaction, without full commitment.
Fly a kite: To try out a new idea or propose a scheme, often as a test. (Similar to "kite flying")
High as a kite: (Informal) Very intoxicated by drugs or alcohol; extremely happy or excited.
To kite a check: (Financial slang) To write a check for an amount greater than the balance in the account, hoping to deposit funds before the check clears.
To send (something) kiting: To send something soaring or flying through the air. (Lesser-known, descriptive)
A paper kite: (Figurative) Something that appears impressive but lacks substance or practical value. (Original metaphorical phrase)
To soar like a kite: To rise quickly and gracefully. (Synonymous descriptive)
Riding the wind: Moving effortlessly with the air currents, similar to a kite. (Metaphorical, synonymous)
A flimsy construct: Something poorly built or insubstantial, akin to a fragile kite. (Original phrase, emphasizing fragility)
Held by a thread: Precariously balanced or dependent on something tenuous, like a kite on a string. (Idiom, similar to kite's precariousness)
Dancing on the wind: Moving lightly and freely in the breeze, like a kite. (Original phrase, evocative)
A flight of fancy: An unrealistic or whimsical idea. (Related to the imaginative aspect of kites)
Testing the waters: Proposing an idea cautiously to see how people react, akin to flying a new kite. (Idiom, synonymous effect)
Up in the air: Undecided or uncertain. (Can be subtly related to something airborne like a kite)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of kite from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
