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Kite

1. (Science: ornithology) Any raptorial bird of the subfamily Milvinae, 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 milvus govinda; the sacred or Brahmany kite of india is Haliastur Indus; the American fork-tailed kite is the Nauclerus furcatus.

2. 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. A lofty sail, carried only when the wind is light.

5. (Science: geometry) a quadrilateral, one of whose diagonals is an axis of symmetry.

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.

7. (Science: zoology) kite falcon, an african falcon of the genus Avicida, having some resemblance to a kite.

Origin: oe. Kyte, as.cta; cf. W. Cud, cut.