Knead
niːd
Definitions
2 meaningsTo work dough or clay with the hands, pressing and folding it repeatedly.
niːd
To work and press (moistened flour or clay) into a mass with the hands.
The baker kneaded the dough vigorously for ten minutes.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're making cookies! Kneading is like squishing and pressing the dough with your hands until it's ready for the oven.
👶 For kids: Making bread or playdough! You squish and push it with your hands.
More Examples
She learned how to knead bread from her grandmother.
Before baking, the chef kneaded the flour and water together.
How It's Used
"She kneaded the dough for the bread until it was smooth and elastic."
"The potter kneaded the clay to remove air bubbles."
To shape or mold something, often figuratively, like shaping or influencing something in a similar way dough is kneaded.
niːd
To shape or mold with or as if with the hands
The artist kneaded the clay into a lifelike sculpture.
💡 Simply: Just like you can squish and shape playdough, you can also 'knead' your ideas and thoughts, to make them better.
👶 For kids: Imagine you're making something out of playdough! Sometimes people use 'knead' to mean making something into a certain shape.
More Examples
He carefully kneaded his argument to sway the jury.
The marketing team kneaded public perception through carefully crafted campaigns.
How It's Used
"The sculptor kneaded the clay to form a beautiful statue."
"The politician kneaded the public opinion to his liking."
From Old English *cnēdan*, from Proto-Germanic *knōdijaną*, meaning 'to rub, press, or work with the hands'.
The word 'knead' has been used since Old English times, primarily in the context of food preparation, but it has evolved to incorporate the figurative sense of shaping or influencing something.
Memory tip
Think of a baker, hands deep in the dough, *kneading* it over and over to make bread.