Kite (kIt), n. [OE. kyte, AS. cȳta; cf. W. cud, cut.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Any raptorial bird of the subfamily Milvinæ, of which many species are known. They have long wings, adapted for soaring, and usually a forked tail.
⇒ The European species are Milvus ictinus and M. migrans; the pariah kite of India is 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. (Zoöl.)
The brill. [Prov. Eng.]
Flying kites. (Naut.) See under Flying. --
Kite falcon (Zoöl.), an African falcon of the genus Avicida, having some resemblance to a kite.
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Kite, v. i.
To raise money by "kites;" as, kiting transactions. See Kite, 6. [Cant]
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Kite, n.
The belly. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
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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.
© Webster 1913