D defs.my
Entry 4 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Knead

/(nēd)/ · IPA /niːd/
01 v. t. To work and press into a mass, usually with the hands; esp., to work, as by repeated pressure with the knuckles, into a well mixed mass, as…
imp. & p. p. Kneaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Kneading
  1. 1.
    To work and press into a mass, usually with the hands; esp., to work, as by repeated pressure with the knuckles, into a well mixed mass, as the materials of bread, cake, etc.; as, to knead dough.
    “The kneading, the making of the cake, the heating of the oven, and the baking.” Shak.
  2. 2.
    Fig.: To treat or form as by kneading; to beat.
    “I will knead him : I'll make him supple.” Shak.
  3. 3.
    To press repeatedly with the hands or knuckles, sometimes with a twisting or squeezing motion; -- performed for example on the body of a person as a form of massage.
Phrases & compounds
Kneading trough — a trough or tray in which dough is kneaded.
02 v. i. To perform movements like kneading, with the paws; -- said of cats, which may knead{3} a master's body when stroked, presumably a sign of c…
  1. 1.
    To perform movements like kneading, with the paws; -- said of cats, which may knead{3} a master's body when stroked, presumably a sign of contentment; as, a cat kneading and purring in his master's lap.